Is Distracted Driving Fueling a Push Toward Autonomous Cars?

By Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP on November 18, 2015

holding phone and coffee while driving

A new study from Mobil-eye shows that the threat of distracted driving may be helping fuel growing support for autonomous vehicles in the United States.

About one third of those surveyed said they would feel safer with autonomous vehicles on the road. More than half of those surveyed claim that they drive while distracted 10 percent or less of the time that they are behind the wheel.

The survey, commissioned by advanced collision-avoidance systems developer Mobil-eye, polled 1,078 Americans to learn more about their experiences on the road and how they envision a future that is accident-free.

The results overwhelmingly show just how distracted American drivers really are. Cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike are all affected by distracted driving.

  • Nine percent reported having to make a trip to the hospital after being involved in an accident with a distracted driver.
  • 13 percent reported injuries that did not require a hospital visit after an accident with a distracted driver.
  • 16 percent reported being hit or almost hit by a vehicle at least once while walking in the last six months.
  • 21 percent of cyclists reported being hit or almost hit by a distracted driver at least once in the last six months.

When looking forward to the future and how best to prevent these types of accidents, survey respondents identified the five top safety features that should be standard in new vehicles. Those included:

Despite what seems to be a growing tide of support for autonomous vehicles and collision avoidance systems, the new technology still has a number of hurdles to break through. States and the federal government continue to grapple with how best to regulate the new technology.

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, our distracted driving lawyers can help you get the justice you deserve.

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.

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