Pedestrian Detection Systems
A driver only needs to take their eyes of the road for a fraction of a second for a pedestrian accident to happen. They may be distracted by kids in the back seat, changing the radio station, social media or an incoming text, or even trying to operate a hands-free cell phone. To make our roads safer for everyone, the Volpe Center at the U.S. Department of Transportation has been performing research into PCAMS—pedestrian crash avoidance/mitigation systems. These systems are believed to be able to reduce up to 5,000 pedestrian accidents and prevent over 800 fatalities every year.
A team of experts at Volpe focused their study on the benefits of PCAM systems. They examined real-world pedestrian crash data, and tracked PCAM systems manufactured by multiple manufacturers. There are a wide variety of PCAMS currently on the market. Researchers looked at systems that provided both audio and visual warnings. Two of the systems studied only provided a visual alert to the driver, and one only provided an audio alert to the pedestrian about to be struck. Because no one can predict how a pedestrian will respond to hearing such a warning, this system was not considered in the Volpe researchers’ final analysis. Some cars in the study were fitted with automatic braking systems that automatically braked when the driver did not respond appropriately to the situation. This technology, also known as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), works independent of driver input—it is on the spectrum of features available in driverless vehicles.
Researchers examined this real-world data, and matched it with historical crash data to assess the safety impact of these various systems. They took this information and ran sophisticated calculations to determine how many accidents the various systems could prevent.
Ultimately, the researchers generated a 150-page report, and concluded that over 5,000 pedestrian accidents could be prevented every year if the various technologies were employed across the board.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, seek immediate medical attention for yourself and any other injured individuals. Call the police, andalso the driver and pedestrian’s auto insurance carriers. If you are able, take photographs; write down the contact information of any witnesses who may have seen the accident occur. Regardless of what happened, or how you feel, never admit fault. Say as little as possible, only giving the bare minimum of information.
Vehicle-pedestrian accidents can occur for any number of reasons. One frequent cause is when a vehicle is traveling straight, and a pedestrian crosses the road or walks alongside traffic, but too closely. PCAM systems are designed to help prevent these types of accidents, but they are not standard on all vehicles in the United States. Most model vehicles do not even offer the option of a PCAM upgrade.
New Brunswick Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Get Answers for Injured Pedestrians
After being struck by a vehicle, anyone would be in a state of shock. However, it is critical to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. Contact our pedestrian accident lawyers in New Brunswick at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr today by calling us at 732-537-8570 or toll free at 877-249-4600, or by completing our online contact form. Our offices are conveniently located in Highland Park, New Jersey, and we serve residents of Highland Park, Edison, Somerset, New Brunswick, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South River, Sayreville, South Plainfield, Fords, Iselin, Old Bridge, Middlesex, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia., and various communities throughout New Jersey.
