The News Wheel
No Comments

Innovative Car Safety Features That Could Reduce the Risk of Accidents

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page
car crash accident collision
Photo: Junior Libby

Car accidents are a serious threat no matter where they take place. Not surprisingly, road traffic accidents are the leading causes of death at a global level, with rates highest in the developing world. Even if the damage to the vehicle is minimal, the people inside are can end up with horrendous injuries. Being involved in an auto accident, as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, can be a traumatizing experience. Although an accident can be avoided in theory, there are many things that can go wrong.

Drivers do their best when paying attention to the surroundings, while car manufacturers up their game. Automakers have understood that it is necessary to equip vehicles with the latest technologies that address such issues. Safety features in cars are constantly improving so as to ensure safety. While they cannot solve every problem that can arise on the road, these technologies can certainly make up for human error. In this article, we will enlist the car safety features that reduce the risk of road accidents and save lives.  

Lane-keeping technologies

Sudden lane changes are dangerous, to say the least. Moving from one lane to the other can result in injuries that require hospitalization and even death, so drivers need to be vigilant all the time. There are many factors that can contribute to the driver making the decision to change lanes without making sure that it is safe to do so. Examples include blind spots and high speeds. Lane-keeping technologies can help prevent crashes, warning the driver when the automobile to move out of its lane.

Numerous variations of this technology are available right now, particularly that regard those technologies that move away from the lane edge and make sure that the vehicle is centered. Automakers that make available such safety features are Ford, Volvo, and Subaru. Ford’s lane-keeping system represents a step in the right direction. The system deploys a camera that is mounted behind the windshield’s small mirror to track pavement markings and uncover unintentional drifting. For divers who want warning electronics in their cars, devices exist, as phone applications, which are normally found in luxury vehicles.

Blind-spot detection monitors

Blind spots can impair your view of another automobile and prevent you from seeing the obstacles that are behind you when trying to back up. The only thing that drivers can do is to glance over their shoulders before switching lanes. This works perfectly fine, except for the fact that you are not paying attention to the road ahead. No person is immune to the risk of blind spot accidents. If hit another driver, they can sue you. It will cost them nothing to consult with personal injury solicitors and see if they have a case, which is why you need to be careful while you are on the road.

Blind-spot detection is one of the most popular safety features. It provides the driver with a good view of areas of the road that otherwise cannot be seen by looking forward. This technology uses radar to detect cars that are approaching from the side. The flashing lights in the rear-view mirrors let you know that a vehicle is in the blind spot. If you try to change lanes, the technology will warn you by vibrating the steering wheel or making a beep sound. Blind-spot detection systems can considerably prevent auto crashes. So, the next time you are driving, you do not have to count your blessings.

Automatic emergency braking

Automatic emergency braking, for short AEB, is a neat safety feature that tells the driver when they are on the point of colliding with someone. What the system does is detect the other vehicles in front of your car and prevent a road accident by helping you take advantage of the maximum breaking capacity of your car. Automatic emergency braking is largely considered the most important advancement in automotive safety technology. The vast majority of car manufacturers have signed on to add this impressive technology to their products, therefore making the roads a safer place.

Seatbelts

Many believe that seatbelts are overrated. The truth is that seatbelts live up to their reputation. In other words, they save lives and reduce injuries in road accidents. Failure to use a seatbelt is a significant risk when it comes down to road accident deaths and injuries. To be more precise, drivers and passengers who do not wear seatbelts rely only on airbags. If there is severe turbulence, they can hit the roof. Given that many people die in car accidents resulting in a fatality or serious bodily harm, it is essential to wear a seatbelt.

A seatbelt is generally designed to look like a Y. It is meant to secure the passenger against harmful movement that may result during a sudden stop or a collision. The three-point belt is very effective because it disperses the energy of the moving body. There are various types of seatbelts, such as:

  • Lap style
  • Sash style
  • Inertia reel
  • Belt-in-seat
  • Five-point harness

Seatbelts are the first safety features to be introduced, which means that they have come a long way. The first vehicle to be equipped with this safety feature was the Range Rover Classic. Fitment became standard beginning with 1970. All cars that were registered since 1971 had to have seatbelts fitted on the front seats.

Electronic stability control

In the 1980s, BMW, together with Mercedes, developed a system to reduce accidents resulting from drivers losing control of their rides. The solution was named electronic stability control. What the system does is enhance the automobile’s stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction. The electronic stability control system is helped by the vehicle’s other safety features and regulatory devices. As examples, we can include the anti-lock braking system and traction control. It combines information from these sensors and determines what course of action needs to be taken so as to bring the car into the lane when it turns too quickly. This system can be found in many cars, including SUVs, pick-up trucks, and large vehicles.

This is a collaborative article.