Many car accidents in the Lafayette area are caused by drivers who are drowsy, fatigued or inattentive. A new technology called lane-keeping technology is being offered as an option by some car companies, and it may help reduce the number of car accidents caused by fatigue or inattentiveness.

Ford is one car manufacturer that is offering lane-keeping technology on two of its 2013 models. Ford's version of the technology uses a camera mounted on the car's rear-view mirror to analyze the markings on the road. If a driver drifts outside of the road's lane markings without using a turn signal, the system vibrates the steering wheel of the car to warn the driver. If the driver does not respond to the warning, the system engages the power steering and directs the vehicle back towards the center of the lane.

The technology presents a great opportunity to reduce car accidents caused by fatigue or inattentiveness, but the technology so far is not perfect. Lane-keeping systems have difficulty recognizing lane markings through curves and during inclement weather. If the system does not recognize the lane markings, it cannot provide assistance to the driver.

One expert believes the technology may eventually present another problem when improved. The director of the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford believes when lane-keeping systems are improved, drivers could respond by "engaging in riskier behavior." The issue is referred to as a risk accommodation problem. Riskier behavior by drivers may defeat the purpose of the technology.

Source: The New York Times, "Trying to nudge drowsy drivers," Randall Stross, Jan. 21, 2012