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New Technology May Prevent Kansas City Drowsy Driving Crashes

Are you a tired driver? If you've ever driven while drowsy, you are not alone. Millions of Americans work long hours or late shifts and don't get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. Over the long term, these drivers build up a sleep deficit which can leave them drowsy behind the wheel.

In a recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Foundation for Highway Safety, 60 percent of the adults surveyed admitted to driving while drowsy-and 40 percent admitted to falling asleep while at the wheel.

Although it is easy to understand how busy lifestyles can lead to drowsy driving, sleeping at the wheel is a serious public health risk. Seventeen percent of fatal crashes involve a driver who was dozing while driving.

Many Missouri drowsy driving accidents occur when a driver nods off and swerves out of his lane. The Ford Motor Company has developed new technology that will help reduce these kinds of accidents.

The "lane keeping" technology will first be available on the 2012 Ford Explorer. This technology uses a camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror to automatically keep the car in its lane. A computer constantly analyzes images from the camera. If the driver nods off and begins to veer to the side, the computer applies steering torque to keep the car within lane boundaries. To the driver, the adjustment feels like a gentle tug on the steering wheel.

The computer will also warn the driver with a yellow warning on the LCD panel and an audible chime. If the chime doesn't wake the driver up and he continues to veer out of lane, the chime will get louder and the warning will turn red. The car will also vibrate the steering wheel to warn the driver that he is drifting.

If the driver repeatedly veers or shows other signs of drowsy driving, a coffee cup icon will pop-up and tell the driver that it is time for a break.

The system can be overridden with a turn signal, hard braking, rapid acceleration, or counter steering.

Of course the system also has limits. The lane markers must be easily visible, so the system won't work in bad weather or on poorly maintained roads.

More than 100,000 crashes and more than 1,500 deaths each year are attributed to drowsy driving. If the new technology saves lives, other car companies may make similar technology standard in their vehicles.

If you or someone you love was injured in a car crash, you may have a Missouri injury claim. An accident lawyer in Kansas City can determine if you are eligible for compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. To learn more, download a free copy of our book, 10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim.

Our accident lawyers in Kansas City, MO offer free consultations for all Missouri injury victims. To learn more contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616.

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