Technology continues to make great strides, especially gadgets designed for safe driving. According to Policy Genius, there were at least 987 deaths caused by car wrecks in Missouri during 2022 alone. Safe driving practices and safe driving vehicle accessories can help minimize your risk of getting into a car accident and suffering severe personal injuries or worse.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of car-tech that can help drivers on the road. Check out these top five gadgets.

 

Universal GPS Head-Up Display

Despite its name, we don’t recommend this gadget because of the GPS feature. This gadget is perfect for vehicles without functioning speedometers. According to Forbes, speeding is the cause of roughly 29% of all fatal car accidents. In Missouri specifically, Forbes revealed that 43% of fatal car accidents were a result of speeding. Easily keep track of your speed with this display that mounts on your dashboard and avoid a car wreck.

 

Blind Spot Mirrors

For most cars, the drivers’ blind spots are located by the doors to the backseat on either side. When you’re on the highway and about to merge into another lane, these blind spots are especially dangerous. Placing stick-on blind spot mirrors on your side view mirrors to expand your visual and reduce blind spots.

Keep in mind, not all types of vehicles have the same blind spots. For example, commercial trucks have blind spots below the driver and passenger side doors as well as the space directly in front of or behind the truck. For all vehicle drivers, it’s important to know where your blind spots are, and to avoid driving in the blind spots of others to prevent a car crash.

 

OBD2 Scanner

If you aren’t a mechanic or well versed in auto mechanics, it’s difficult to know what’s wrong with your vehicle when the “check engine” light pops on. That’s where the OBD2 Scanner comes in. When you plug it into your car’s charging port, the device can detect and read trouble codes revealing problems such as the following and more.

  •  Engine malfunctions and damages.
  • Sensor failures.
  • Faulty brakes.
  • Faulty airbags.
  • Leaks

With an up-to-date OBD2 Scanner, you can decipher what’s wrong with your vehicle with the push of a few buttons. You can learn how to read the OBD2 Scanner codes here.

 

Ignition Interlock Device

According to Forbes, a startling 35% of all car accidents are caused by intoxicated drivers. Forbes also found that in Missouri, 39% of car wreck fatalities were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or other substances. 

Ignition Interlock Devices is a handheld breathalyzer that connects to your vehicle. The vehicle will not start until the driver has breathed into the device and displayed a sober reading. LifeSaver names a study that found that Ignition Interlock Devices can reduce DUI fatalities by 15%.

 

Dash Cameras

Dash Cameras don’t improve safe driving – but they can help protect your personal injury claim after a car accident occurs. Dash Cams can be mounted on your dashboard or windshield to record the road in front of the vehicle as you drive. If another driver causes you to get injured in a car wreck, this footage can be used as evidence by your personal injury attorney. 

 

If you or a loved one have suffered personal injuries in a motor vehicle accident, you’re going to need compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other injury related costs. Contact us as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation for free legal advice from an experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer near you.