Over the past several years, great strides have been made towards outfitting test cars with the ability to “talk” to one another. Many of these test vehicles have already been involved in real-world trials. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is being explored primarily for its potential to reduce the number of preventable accidents that occur on U.S. highways and surface streets.
Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that it is taking administrative steps to support this particular kind of safety technology. When functioning properly, this advance would allow cars and light trucks to essentially warn each other about potentially dangerous activity occurring around them. It is hoped that this kind of instinctive communication will help to prevent a number of common kinds of accidents.
However, motorists are not the only travelers in need of such technology. Motorcyclists also suffer high rates of accidents, many of which can be prevented. If communication technology is developed for motorcycles, it is conceivable that many motorcycle accidents will be prevented as a result.
According to a famous report on motorcycle crashes referred as the Hurt Report, “The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.”
If motorists are instinctively warned about motorcycle activity that could result in an accident, they can be given a better chance to respond appropriately and safely for the benefit of all.
Source: Ultimate Motorcycling, “Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications for Motorcycles?” Gary Ilminen, Jan. 6, 2015
