Tennessee motorcyclists may be aware of their vulnerability on the road, but vehicle-to-vehicle communications (V2V) that are currently being developed and tested in light vehicles could reduce the risks for motorcyclists as well. The most common motorcycle accidents are those in which another motorist doesn’t see the motorcycle in time to avoid an accident. V2V technology is designed to monitor driving conditions and provide drivers with warnings that allow time to adjust and avoid accidents.
Research by the Department of Transportation has demonstrated that most multi-vehicle accidents can be avoided with V2V technology as vehicles exchange data with each other. At the same time, concerns for privacy are addressed in that the technology does not identify vehicles. The technology is being tested in both controlled situations and on the roads, with a 2012 testing of almost 3,000 vehicles having provided an important perspective on how models from different manufacturers interact.
Some of the scenarios in which V2V is expected to make a dramatic difference include left turns across two lanes of traffic, potential head-on collisions related to passing on a two-lane highway and the approach of a vehicle on a collision course. A left turn is one of the most common motorcycle accident scenarios as well as one of the most serious with regard to injuries suffered by the motorcyclist. Although V2V testing may not involve motorcycles yet, the potential is encouraging to those who are concerned about their safety while riding.
Future technology and improvements may be great news to the motorcycling community, but an individual who is dealing with significant injuries after a motorcycle accident may need solutions for their situation now. If another motorist caused such an accident through negligent driving, personal injury litigation may be appropriate for seeking damages related to issues such as injuries, medical costs and lost work time.
Source: Ultimate Motorcycling, “Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications for Motorcycles?,” Gary Ilminen, Jan. 6, 2015