New Jersey motorcyclists may be interested to learn of a new technology that may soon be available on new light passenger vehicles. The technology, called vehicle-to-vehicle communication, allows vehicles to communicate safety information with one another, providing warnings to drivers of the presence of other vehicles and traffic patterns to alert drivers.
VTV technology can inform drivers that are turning left across highways of the presence of an oncoming vehicle or one that is engaged in passing their car at the time. Many motorcycle accidents happen when motorists fail to see motorcyclists while turning. The technology can also alert drivers while they are changing lanes or when they are preparing to pass cars. A safety pilot study performed by the Department of Transportation demonstrated the technology works in the real world and across manufacturers.
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently working on the administrative process to bring the technology to cars and light trucks, the potential application to motorcycles is also exciting. Many motorcycle accidents occur because other motorists simply fail to notice the motorcyclists. If the VTV technology were to become available for motorcycles as well as cars, the motorcycle could communicate with a car, alerting the car’s driver of the cyclist’s presence and thus averting accidents.
People who are involved in motorcycle accidents are much likelier to suffer catastrophic personal injuries or to be killed, as they do not have as much protection. Technology that could help avoid such accidents would be welcome. Those who are injured because a driver negligently failed to notice a motorcycle may want to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent motorist in order to receive compensation for the expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
Source: Ultimate MotorCycling Magazine, “Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications for Motorcycles?”, Gary Ilminen, 1/06/2015
