Artificial intelligence technologies could make the roads safer for New Jersey residents. Many people are interested in the potential of autonomous vehicles to reduce the number of car crashes by cutting down on the risk of human error. There are a variety of safety technologies being integrated into modern vehicles, from forward collision alerts to blind spot avoidance. All of these can help to offset the additional risks that other technologies pose. Often associated with mobile phones, distracted driving takes nine lives across the country every day and injures 100 more people.

While technology may prompt some drivers to text or surf the internet behind the wheel, others may be distracted by the built-in touchscreen entertainment and GPS systems in many modern vehicles. Distracted driving-related car crashes take a toll financially as well. They account for around $40 million in damages every year, compared to $44 million from collisions associated with drunk driving.

Technology could help to rein in distracted driving, however. Artificial intelligence technologies are being used to create sensors that alert a driver if signs of drowsiness or distraction emerge. These sensors are programmed with algorithms that can automatically spot signs of inattention, setting off an alarm within the vehicle to refocus the driver.

Other advances intersect with the technologies used to create self-driving cars. If a driver fails to respond to the alert, these systems could take over the car, braking it, steering it or bringing it to a halt on the side of the road. These technologies are intended to respond to the threats posed by distracted and drowsy driving alike.

While these technologies hold great promise, car collisions cause catastrophic injuries every day. People injured in a crash due to someone else’s negligent driving may work with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their losses.