Technology and Safety

Along with new technological innovation comes new innovation to protect our safety. This is an inevitable progression, and as technology advances, safety procedures and technologies must advance too. These technological advances in safety include driverless cars, home security and the use of smartphones for requesting help.

Around 5000 years ago, life expectancy was around 20 years. In medieval Britain, this raised to 30 years. Since 1960, life expectancy has risen from 71 years to 81 years in the UK. Much of this is thanks to developments in technology. Modern medicine has allowed us to live extended lives, and has dramatically lowered infant mortality. But still, needless deaths occur due to flaws in safety measures.

Developments in health technology are helping to prolong life expectancy. Life prolonging drugs are becoming more readily available due to improved production techniques, and a large amount of machinery has been developed to improve health. This includes 3-D printed prosthetics and body parts (such as jaw bones, hip replacements) as well as improvements in blood glucose machines for diabetics, and even the use of Botox for improvement of bladder control.

There have also been improvements in policing technology, including more secure prisons and better technology for determining the perpetrator of a crime. A process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is used to determine whose DNA has been left at a crime scene. This has led to more accurate convictions, meaning a safer society.

We also have safer transport. We have developed better airbags and stronger car exteriors, safer trains and planes, and road fatalities are decreasing year on year.

Driverless cars are now developing to a point that they can function on roads without incident. Elon Musk of Tesla has suggested that one day manually driven cars will be banned because of the lack of safety in human error. One day, driverless cars could become compulsory in order to protect safety and prevent traffic accidents. This could prevent the 1700 road fatalities that occur every year on UK roads.

We also have our smartphones to help keep us safe. During an emergency, we can call for help or even search on the internet what to do. For example, if someone near you suffered an epileptic fit, you could look up on the internet what you should do, and then call for help. Smartphones have also meant we can report extreme events and provide vital information. This is useful during terror attacks and natural disasters, meaning we can warn others and keep the general public informed of occurring events.

In the future, further innovations will lead to safer practices, and we will continue to live longer lives. All of this is thanks to technology.