According to the latest CARFAX study, In Car Technology We Trust, car safety features such as backup cameras, driver assists, and hands free technology are becoming not only increasingly important for drivers to have in their latest car, but have a significant impact on the driving experience. According to Jim Sharifi, editor for CARFAX, “the NHTSA [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] lists features such as a rearview camera, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as recommended safety technologies.” It’s no wonder then, that 87% of CARFAX survey respondents name car safety features as an important factor while purchasing their next vehicle.
While these safety features become more common and even standard in vehicles, and the general public have a positive outlook on them, the true safety benefits of these features remain to be proven. Even though this is the case, drivers rely heavily on the technology, as it takes the place of what drivers used to do themselves. For example 30% of drivers first check their backup camera while reversing, while 25% actually look over their shoulder. In the same vein, 4 out of 5 drivers with in-car Bluetooth use their phone in the car. This means, that while they are not technically using their hands, they are still driving distracted, which is the causing 4 times the number of crashes that non technology users (NHTSA).
So what can be the take away from all the numbers and data that is important for technology using drivers to know? According to Sharifi, “It is important to remember that while safety technology is continually evolving…they are not a substitute for safe driving habits…drivers still need to be alert and aware of their surroundings.”
The clear over-reliance on technology while driving can be detrimental, because after all, technology is not (yet) smarter than human beings. Even though the technology has made a tremendous impact on driver’s safety, it still does not take the place of a clear head and smart driving choices. Education is imperative. Doing your research, understanding each safety feature in your vehicle and how they operate is important. And above all, common sense and age old “rules of the road” are every driver’s best bet.
4 Responses
My family and I need Help we have no one to look for Guidance, We lost our entire family within 2 years. We used all the money we have saved throughout our years to lay for sadly burials and had to even cremate due to running out of funds for a respectable funeral. We lost not just every Mothers. Fathers Whom would of been grandparents to our amazi g 2 children 3 & 9 , We lost 2 Brothers due to the Cancer and Aids.
We have us and about to lose our home on the 20th We spend our days seeking advice on how to or where to turn. We are reaching out with our knees to the floor and it seems no one is there to help us up, The saddest part is Not only do we have to keep,our mind strong after experiencing our families all fade away within 2 years 11 of them with us 4 left Attempting to rebuild a beautiful new family tree, I know my children will never get to experience family gatherings or gifts from loved ones , While watching all their friends , Have loved ones that call or visit , Speak about going on vacations in which we know we will never be able to provide. I do not want this new family tree to be weak, I want this tree to grow tall strong and most of all cherished and looked at beautifully by strangers that would bewalking by a beautiful tree in the park.
I am Not ever going to give up , I know we try , I know we do the best we can and there is not enough hours in the day for me to get Everything I need for my family to Feel safe , Complete , Loved and that there are others that do care!
How do I show them a positive outlook on life when each one of the 4 of us Has witnessd,experienced and been through more then any one person could handle throughout 10 lifetimes.
I want to give them hope and let them see goodness in life and people. God please we pray that you do not let my Children suffer a harder road of bullying or anymore finicial burdens, Let them have dreams and hopes that life is and can be a blessing because of right now None of us would ever speak of How much our tragedies have affected us all so much We lost it as well. I have felt this three out my entire life, Growing up in a way no child would ever have to experience I refuse to let them know that Mommy and daddies and even their own allowances for,helping with chores and teaching them valued and responsibilities is gone too, How hippocritacle of myself ! I wish I could explain that we had,no,choice but to pay to bury our family whom had absolutely not a penny to their name nor did they think about the Finicial burden that would arise if they had passed on like they tragically did Who the only one in the family has any type of good investing and savings skills, Then again If it was a family member then ok , But between both of our families Not a single one thought what could happen and had any type of plot prepaid, Insurance for their debts and So on… So while I’ve spent my years trying to teach my children The right way to live and take care of others , Save your money and We now have to Tell them We are beyond in a hole Mommy cannot dig herself out of.
This generation needs to change because I lived the last one and the world and it’s people have broken each other and we have fallen down, Sadly we can not trust , We can not live by God’s way Because of the corruption others have caused on those whom still commit to teach and give as God would. I have preached to my family about giving the shirt off your back for others When now we do not have our own shirts to give… How or what and where to turn. I’ve asked God How do I not let my Children down after teaching them how to give to others that are experiencing what we have now been experiancing for a few years and I have gotten by without putting another serious trauma like, worries about money or food and clothing . I can’t believe I’ve been. Asking and begging ,reaching out Not for money Not for handouts Just a answer to help Guiding my family without anymore negative results Its free….. I’m asking for something that just takes time and Have gotten no where but phone numbers to who MAY be able to help But guess what I’m 2 weeks . The home We have lived in is going up for auction , It is falling apart , We don’t have the money to maintain it We even had our business equipment stolen Where we can not even maintain the exterior of the home over 200,000 in things we have spent our lives to buy , Cannot be replaced. I am at a loss of hope I don’t think I can,go another day teaching my children showing goodness in themselves so good comes in return be a use in 2 weeks are home will be gone , What do I say when they think Our Finicial status is of value and we can just move on? On the positive note My children are not happy in this home because all they think about is when We had the family to fill the home.
I dont think phone numbers are going to help after years of trying to get anywhere to prevent this exact situation.
My fiance and I can not even afford to get married and the kids ask why I feel so guilty for having them think this world is a kind and loving place Because when our family passed they didn’t receive the phone calls or the visits or the gifts. We struggled to make it seem normal
Made sure I did whatever community service we could to get their extra circular activities paid for this last year. Its all coming to a end where This home will no longer be home Where mommy and Daddy are going to look at each other knowing we gave our all to prevent this and I won’t stop until I can get help I’m going to put myself out there and do it In,going to ask What do we do? My fiance , My children,and myself have given,our lives to God and have given to those unfortunate our entire lives When ,We ourselves never were close to mid class. It we have what we could and Put,in what we could to others That now I am in there position.
Even if I can receive a friend , I need a answer . Who and what is,out there for families that simply do not have options availble… We truly would be grateful so get some feedback on experiences in which others have had a ton of bricks dropped on us and came out Ok .
All and any inforation anyone has to say I will listen with a open heart mind body and soul Because That’s all I have left and I’m willing to give that up for some advice To save that once beautiful growing tree back to its beauty , Like I mentioned earlier I will not let my family get weak , Give up or get ugly. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read a strangers hand and hopefully I can get get lifted up to save the only family We have left. God bless you and your happiness , Appriciate every single smile you receive while helping others and,know in your heart, There is no way this is God’s way of loving is back. When you have had everything you needed to give it all up for others and Take away our family and lose our entire savings to eventually buy a beautiful home to raise the children in, That savings is a word which to us meant SAVING from finicial burden but on No way did we think it,would have to be spent on death and now We cannot save ourselves . PLEASE do not feel bad or think I am trying to make anyone feel bad , I’m putting my situation out There Because Its my last option Which I should not of even had to think about what options are available for a situation like this. And if you dare put me down for finally speaking up about this, Then all I’ve have spoken and preached to give my children The courage and strength to give without receiving and. God along with people will and can love uncondionally, Will all go down the drain and I will have to explain to them that there are negative people too and those people,have nothing else better to do then to bring others down to feel better about themselves, When I taught them completley opposite. Not to judge I will make sure they read what nasty things you have to say about their mommy amd daddy Putting this embarrassing situation Asking for Guidence and help on what to do.