The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines adaptive cruise control as a driver assistance technology. As the name suggests, it is a variation on traditional cruise control technology. However, drivers need to be aware of the differences before using it.
What Adaptive Cruise Control Does
Traditional cruise control allows your vehicle to travel at a consistent speed without you using the gas or brake pedals. When you turn it on, your vehicle will automatically speed up or slow down as necessary to maintain the speed at which you set it to travel. It is typically safest to use on highways where vehicles can travel at a steady speed for long periods.
Adaptive cruise control is designed to work slightly differently. Instead of a consistent speed, it maintains a consistent distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This means your vehicle will slow down or speed up as needed to keep moving at the same speed as other vehicles.
Since the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you is often one of the most significant factors in highway accidents, this technology should reduce car accidents, at least on paper.
Is Adaptive Cruise Control Safe?
All types of cruise control are relatively safe technologies. Many insurance companies will even discount drivers on car insurance if their vehicles have cruise control. This is because the technology has a reputation for decreasing accidents.
However, cruise control also has a downside. Some drivers can become inattentive when using cruise control. Since the car is partially driving itself, some drivers may allow themselves to become distracted.
This is dangerous for all types of cruise control. With traditional cruise control, you risk getting into an accident when the car in front of you slows down for some reason. When driving with adaptive cruise control, you are at risk of driving conditions changing in a way that causes the driver assistance system to fail.
Adaptive cruise control not working is a potential danger when weather conditions change. The system relies on sensors that may not function correctly in poor weather or if there is a sudden change in light.
Getting Into an Accident While Using Adaptive Cruise Control
While adaptive cruise control can reduce the likelihood of car accidents, that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. Adaptive cruise control is not a defense if you get into an accident due to inattention. It’s quite the opposite. The fact that you were using it could potentially be used as evidence that you allowed your attention to wander from the road.
In Missouri, however, this does not mean you are out of luck. When you are partially responsible for an accident, the Missouri comparative fault system allows you to get partial compensation if the other party is partially at fault.
This means if you were 90% at fault, you could still get compensation for the other 10% of your expenses related to your injuries from another party. However, you or your insurance company would be responsible for the percentage of the accident for which you were at fault.
Using Adaptive Cruise Control Safely
When used at highway speeds, adaptive cruise control is an excellent way to drive at the same speed as the rest of the cars on the road. It can help your legs relax on a long drive while reducing the risk of an accident. However, it is only safe if you continue to pay full attention to the road while driving.
Contact a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a car accident involving cruise control or adaptive cruise control, get legal advice right away. A lawyer can examine the details of the crash on your behalf.
For more information, contact the best personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers. We proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County, and we have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, Clayton, and Creve Coeur.
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – St. Louis Office
1010 Market Street, Suite 1605
St. Louis, Missouri
(636) 519-0085
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Chesterfield Office
400 Chesterfield Center Suite 400
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 999-9587
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
11628 Old Ballas Rd, Suite 320
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 557-2869
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Clayton Office
7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1100
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 804-4569
