Consumer Reports’ Guide to Defensive Driving
A big part of crash avoidance comes down to the driver staying laser-focused on driving, and always looking for and reacting to changes in conditions.
Driver concentration is important because, according to the National Institutes of Health, the human brain lacks the architecture to multitask. That means fiddling with the infotainment system and using your phone detract from safe driving. And with cars getting bigger and heavier, it’s important for the driver to know how the car will handle in an emergency situation.
But the biggest part of being a defensive driver is staying out of danger’s way to begin with, which is where CR’s experts have a few helpful tips to impart.
How Fleets Can Leverage Advancements in Charging Infrastructure to Scale Electrified Operations
By Stephen Israel, Vice President of Operations, ChargeTronix
Due to technological and logistical advancements in charging infrastructure, the U.S. is at an inflection point in its transition to electric as charging infrastructure becomes increasingly scalable.
In the past year, targeted policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and financial incentives such as federal tax credits and state rebates have made it more feasible for private companies to expand their charging infrastructure.
As EVs continue to gain popularity, smart distributed charging solutions will allow for power sharing and dynamic adjustments between multiple vehicles, which will ideally improve charging efficiency.
Infrastructure planning and development can be daunting for managers, especially in the midst of constant innovation within the charging industry. With effective planning and rollout strategies, however, this process can be made more efficient and approachable.
How High-Tech Car Features Hold Bad Drivers Accountable
Drivers are becoming more and more dependent on their vehicle's sophisticated features, such as dashcams and driver monitoring systems. They can be great tools to hold reckless drivers accountable for unsafe behaviors that endanger others on the road.
When Tesla's driver monitoring systems detects a driver is not paying attention, the vehicle issues a series of warnings. The system may disengage these advanced features until the driver resumes safe behavior.
"This technology is useful for accident prevention as the real-time feedback makes drivers actively aware of their reckless actions, whether its diverting attention to a smartphone, running red lights, or failing to brake properly," says Rocio Gosewehr Hernandez, a personal injury lawyer at Snellings Law in North Texas.
Fewer Drivers Are Opting Out of Lane Departure Prevention
image credit: IIHS
Almost 9 out of 10 drivers of vehicles equipped with lane departure warning and prevention systems now keep them switched on, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. Seven out of 10 drivers of vehicles that give visual alerts when they exceed the speed limit also keep that feature running.
“The results reflect a combination of better designs and a growing acceptance of crash avoidance systems, more generally,” said IIHS Research Scientist Aimee Cox, the lead author of the study. “The new designs make the feature a little harder to turn off and a lot less annoying for the driver.”
Navigating Economic Shifts: How Companies Can Approach a Scalable Vehicle Program
By Jon Bernstein, Vice President of Product Management, Motus
At its core, scalability in vehicle programs denotes the system's capacity to accommodate fluctuations in demand or operational scope without compromising performance or incurring excessive costs.
As a company expands, their vehicle programs must scale up accordingly. This expansion involves augmenting resources such as drivers and support systems to meet heightened demand. However, scaling up demands meticulous planning to ensure cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency remain intact.
When selecting a vehicle program, prioritizing scalability is essential. Companies need to look for solutions that can adjust reimbursement rates dynamically, reflecting fluctuating costs and employee driving patterns.
