What if you could solve the principal reason that motorcyclists die on roads with one bit of technology? Ford may have done just that.
Drivers turning left were responsible for 42% of all fatal motorcycle accidents in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ford has announced a new technology called Intersection Assist that will solve this issue. They say the car will stop itself when it senses another vehicle in the intersection that the driver wants to turn into. It is more than a warning system, as the car will override the driver. The system will apply the brakes and prevent the driver from making the potentially fatal turn.
If it is as good as Ford says, it is fantastic news for Meridian motorcyclists. That said, most drivers are not going to have such technology in their vehicles for a long time. The safety system will be launched next year in the new Ford F150 pickup. Few drivers are likely to rush out and change cars for this one feature. Still, if successful, other manufacturers will surely develop something similar.
Until then, car drivers need to take full responsibility for ensuring they check adequately before turning left. The exact reason that so many drivers fail to notice motorcyclists when turning left is unclear. Some drivers do not make adequate checks, some are distracted, and others appear to be blind to motorcyclists. None of these are acceptable excuses.
If you are injured in a Meridian motorcycle crash or have a loved one killed because of a negligent driver, seek legal help to fight for the compensation you need.