Unknown to many people, car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. today. Statistics show that there are about 40,000 fatal car crashes in the country every year. Each time you get in a car, you leave yourself at risk of endangering yourself.
Improve the odds for yourself as you hit the road. Make sure your car is in great condition and fully compliant to the set lawful standards. If you have been involved in a car accident, whether major or minor, consult an auto collision attorney on how to go about things. Make sure you cover all bases. Fortunately, technology has found ways to help reduce car collisions and lessen casualties on lives and properties.
Car Technology That Helps Keep You Safe on the Road
1. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
The AEB is a relatively new feature that helps motorists avoid a crash by using a vehicle’s maximum braking capacity. While forward collision warning keeps a close eye on what’s in front using cameras and radar, the AEB takes it a step further. In critical situations where the driver is nonresponsive, the AEB can function independently and brake.
Initially, this feature was used exclusively for luxury cars, but it has gradually made its way into mainstream vehicles. Eventually, by September 1, 2022, all American brands and manufacturers will carry this feature as a standard for all-new passenger vehicles.
2. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Our rear side is usually your blind side. This tech helps you reduce the risks of rear-related crashes by using rear-end cameras and sensors to alert you of an oncoming or crossing traffic. If another car or person or object gets close to you, it will send an alert through visual and auditory cues. Some systems even provide an automatic braking function, which is applied as soon as it detects any object nearby.
3. Lane-Keeping System
There are a couple of good variants to this system so be mindful of which one you are getting. Both systems, however, are designed to prevent cases of distracted-driving errors.
- Lane Departure Warning. This system utilizes cameras to detect when your car is moving away from your lane. Once this drift is detected, it sends an alert to the driver with an audible, vibrating, or visual warning that the car has shifted too far.
- Lane Departure Prevention. This system is everything the lane departure warning device is, but it offers more. Its advanced technology can nudge the vehicle back in its place, which is vital especially if you are crossing the lane of oncoming traffic.
4. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Perhaps the most important crash avoidance technology today, the ESC does exceptionally well at preventing cars from getting out of control, even on snow and slippery roads. The system momentarily applies the brakes to the vehicle’s individual wheels to help reduce its engine power.
5. Autonomous Cruise Control (ACC)
While this technology has been available for quite some time now, it has improved and has helped reduce the number of car crashes and other related incidents. This more advanced cruise control type allows you to maintain a safe driving distance from the car ahead by adjusting your vehicle’s speed. This lets you enjoy the benefits of cruise control without having to reset it.
The Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control, a more advanced version, utilizes mobile infrastructure, roadside beacons, and even satellites to gather traffic information and make adjustments based on it.
Your safety is paramount, especially when you’re on the road. While all these technologies and systems prove helpful, driving with extra caution helps reduce the risks even more. Drive safely!
