New Car Technology That Helps Prevent Accidents
The world of self-driving and driver safety technology is rapidly expanding. Nearly all newer models feature some form of this tech, helping to make the roads a safer place. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, then check out these new car technologies that help prevent accidents.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
AEB has been around for a few years, but the technology has greatly improved in just a short time. The main goal is to help the driver reach the maximum level of applied brakes safely in the event of an imminent crash, and there are currently three categories of this tech on the market.
The first is a low-speed system, designed for city or more congested streets. The second is a high-speed system that scans 200 meters in front of the car using a long range radar, allowing for emergency braking on highways. Finally, the pedestrian system looks for people instead of automobiles and objects. All three go by many names but are crucial elements in reducing the yearly number of accidents.
Back-Up Cameras
These have been around for a long while, but they also continue to improve as the years go by. Newer models can now see 360-degrees thanks to the use of multiple cameras. An audible alert when an object is too close to the vehicle is also standard now. These cameras are also used in conjunction with other safety features, making them an invaluable (and surprisingly cheap) part of any safety system.
Auto-Steering
Relatively new to car technology, auto-steering can be an incredible and luxurious experience. While this doesn’t allow the car to drive itself, it does assist the driver when changing lanes and sometimes parallel parking. The main safety aspect here is helping drivers avoid collisions in split-second scenarios.
LED Headlights
While not entirely new, LED headlights are becoming standard in most models. They’re also brighter than they were in the past thanks to advancing LED technology and remain a cheaper, longer-lasting option than halogen bulbs. Brighter lights equal better nighttime visibility, making this an excellent improvement.
Lane Departure and Lane Assist
These systems identify the lines on a road and help the driver stay in-between them as well as switch lanes safely. This can be done through cameras that monitor the lanes, sending a signal to the system to alert the driver if they’re drifting or switching lanes in an unsafe way.
Moving into the Future
Blind spot warning, forward collision warning, autonomous cruise control and more are all available to help keep drivers safer. While these systems are fantastic, they’re not foolproof. Crashes still happen and often require legal aid like this auto accident attorney in San Francisco to seek compensation. Drivers must still be fully aware and take action when necessary to help prevent accidents, as well.
Still, the addition of these and other technologies are an excellent way to create safer roadways. Studies are still being conducted to fully understand the impact safety features have on reducing the number of accidents each year, but so far it looks like they’re working.
