Drive Work Comp Injuries Down

How New Car Technology Can Reduce Crashes, Save Employers Money

by Revee White

More new vehicles, including commercial vehicles, have integrated collision avoidance technologies (CAT) to avoid accidents and the losses that result. But what about cars and commercial fleets currently in service without this technology?

To answer that question, Missouri Employers Mutual partnered with the MU College of Engineering for the first-of-its-kind research to look at the effect of CAT devices on drivers’ behavior. The overall results of the research predict significant crash reductions with collision avoidance technology. Driving improved for three out of four drivers after using a CAT device in their vehicles.

Crashes on and off the job have far-reaching financial and psychological effects on employees, their coworkers and families, and their employers.  Traffic crashes are largely preventable, yet are a leading cause of work comp injuries. Employers have an opportunity to save lives by implementing traffic safety programs and installing collision avoidance technology in company vehicles.

Findings from the research showed that not all technology is created equal. Here are some things to consider when evaluating collision avoidance technology for personal or company vehicles:

Audio + Visual = Better Results

According to the study, the greatest benefit was predicted to result from systems that combine auditory and visual alarms, with a user-friendly, user interface (UI) display unit and wide angle system.

It was also evident that visual and audio warning systems provided better driver responses.  Less sophisticated systems, although simple to operate, generated more false positives that tended to annoy drivers, perhaps leading them to turn off the safety features.  

False Warnings Create Distrust

The CAT system should be designed to minimize the probability of false warnings and to increase the effective warning rate. The more robust systems that led to fewer false warnings were more effective as the drivers paid more attention to the alarms. False positive warnings will create a distrust, like the boy who cried wolf as the old fable goes.

Reaction Time and Confidence Go Hand-in-Hand

The driver survey showed mixed results on trust the drivers had with the technology. Sixty percent indicated confidence in the lane departure warning system. Forty percent showed confidence in the forward collision feature of the device.

Researchers also saw reaction time differences between the lane departure and forward collision warnings in phase one of the project, which led them to recommend a vibration system somewhere in contact with the driver. This feature was not offered on any of the devices tested.  Future studies could involve working with the CAT technology providers to offer a tactile warning feature based upon this studies results.

The results of the overall study have conclusively shown that CAT systems are effective in improving driving behavior. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of the effectiveness and the user acceptance level.

More information about the research and individual technology performance can be found at worksafecenter.com.

Revee White (rwhite1@mem-ins.com or 573.449.4190) is the Director of Marketing and Communication at Missouri Employers Mutual, Missouri’s No. 1 provider of workers compensation insurance. MEM can help you eliminate injuries and reduce your work comp costs. Visit www.worksafecenter.com for your workplace safety needs.