Thoughts from the Driver’s Seat with Mike Nelson
“On the Go” in Charlie 3.0 to the IIHS-HLDI Vehicle Research Center
Partner Mike Nelson is “on the go” in his new Tesla Model Y—dubbed Charlie 3.0—to attend the CHARGING INTO AN ELECTRIFIED FUTURE conference sponsored by IIHS-HLDI at its Vehicle Research Center. IIHS-HLDI are non-profit organizations that are “wholly supported by auto insurers and insurance associations.” They play a critical role in analyzing accident and insurance data and considering how to minimize both economic and human losses (think CrashTest Dummies).* Related to this mission, IIHS-HLDI considers how advanced and autonomous automotive technologies can reduce traffic accidents. One recent publication, for example, provides statistical evidence for the “real world benefits of crash avoidance technologies.” According to the summary sheet, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) alone reduces rear end collisions by 50%.
As lawyers, we spend a lot of time thinking about risk and liability. The news often focuses on (and even sensationalizes) the risks of advanced and autonomous technologies. But studies like this one from trusted organizations like IIHS-HLDI help highlight the potential for the same technologies to reduce risks. This is an important focus, too, and a reminder to keep the discussion balanced.
One of the items on the conference agenda that we expect to lead to balanced debate is a discussion of changes in driver behaviors as more EVs hit the road. We wonder: is there a net positive or negative impact to safety as drivers increasingly rely on and defer to ADAS features like AEB or lane-keeping assist in day-to-day driving? We look forward to Mike’s report.
*If you’re totally unfamiliar with IIHS-HLDI, check out our terminology and acronym cheat sheet here.
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