An average of six Canadians die in road crashes every day, according to Transport Canada. The government of Canada declared 2011 the Year of Road Safety and, with it’s introduction of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2015, there seems to be a commitment to helping Canadians reduce the number of fatalities. According to the report, one of the ways to reduce fatalities is through working with industry professionals to help set standards and regulations in the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and by using innovative technologies for the design and construction of safe vehicles.

 

South of the border, the National Highway Traffic Standards Administration (NHTSA) in the US is looking to regulate a new innovative technology called connected vehicle technology. In the US, every car may eventually be required to communicate with other cars on the road in hopes of avoiding fatal collisions. This technology will allow vehicles to ”talk” and interact with each other using wireless communications technology similar to Wi-Fi. Some examples of the capabilities will be things like blind spot warning, forward collision warning and loss of control warning.

 

The technology is certainly becoming more of a reality. The NHTSA will be deciding in 2013 if connected vehicle technology will be legislated mandatory for all vehicles. According to the Administrator of NHTSA, David Strickland, who spoke at spoke at the Automotive Megatrends USA 2012 conference on January 31, 2012, this technology can address up to 80 percent of crash scenarios.

 

If the US passes this regulation, there may be a chance Canada will follow suit. 

 

“This is something we are watching very closely and is becoming an important topic of conversation with respect to repair standards,” said Tom Bissonnette of Parr Autobody and a regular contributor to Collision Repair magazine. “There will be lots of issues to consider about advanced vehicle technology, like who will have the final authority on repairs - the manufacturer or the insurance company?” Bissonette also noted the importance for a collision centre to keep up with the technology and infrastructure necessary to facilitate these types of repairs.

 

Kelly James of Transport Canada says the organization is monitoring ongoing research efforts and development initiatives for Connected Vehicles. The department encourages innovative solutions to transportation challenges, including those related to connected vehicles and connected infrastructure.

 

"Connected vehicle technologies promise to enhance safety and efficiency but further research is needed to better understand the risks and benefits for Canadians," says James. "Technological development and innovation have provided rapid progress in sensors, communication and vehicle warning and control systems."