Autonomous car sensor system concept for safety of driverless mode car control . Future adaptive cruise control sensing nearby vehicle and pedestrian . Smart transportation technology .
According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 6,452,000 police-reported car crashes in 2017 alone. Out of this, 40,327 accidents were fatal. Automotive accidents have been termed as the highest cause of death among healthy Americans.
Car accidents have always threatened the lives of pedestrians and motorists. That’s why safety features are being taken more seriously during the manufacture of vehicles now more than ever before.
For example, crash safety features have now become a standard feature in modern vehicles. Most cars have a reverse camera to assist the driver when they are backing up. This feature prevents the driver from knocking somebody over or colliding with an oncoming vehicle.
Here are more safety features that prevent car accidents:
Auto Steering
Driving can be a tiresome task, especially if you have to drive over a long distance. That is why automotive manufacturers have come up with an auto-steering feature.
The feature lets the vehicle take control of the steering while you relax our arms and enjoy the ride. In the case of an impending object or pedestrian, the system will first detect the obstacle, before stopping. The system will then steer around while maintaining the car’s position on the lane. This system helps you avoid any unnecessary turning that may lead to swerving or even loss of control.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Many road users often get distracted, and one mistake could lead to a severe accident.
The latest automobiles are now fitted with an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system. This system puts the driver on alert in the event of an imminent crash. In case of no response from the driver, the system brakes by itself.
Below are categories of the AEB system:
• Higher Speed System – Applies a long-range radar for high speeds. It’s useful on highways.
• Low-Speed System – Applies close range radar and scans for cars and objects that are near.
• Pedestrian System – Scans for nearby pedestrians, calculates movement direction and determines the collision risk.
Back-Up Camera
This is one of the safest travel features that have been around for quite some time now. It might not be brand new, but it has been improved over the years. Today, some vehicles have a 360-degree rear camera.
It’s also been improved with a combination of side cameras, sensors, and a display. All these help the driver see better during reverse. The system is designed to alert the driver by a beeping sound upon an impending crash. More advanced systems will even apply brakes where necessary or steer away to avoid impact.
Autonomous Cruise Control
This safety feature has also been on the market long enough. The system switches to a sort of ‘auto-driver’ mode. It calculates the distance to the nearest cars both in front and behind.
It then adjusts the car’s speed accordingly to maintain a safe distance while adhering to speeding rules. Improved systems can synchronize with satellites and mobile tech. This improves the accuracy of the calculations and supports a smooth drive.
LED Headlights
LED headlights are commonly referred to as daytime running lights. They are better compared to the classic halogen bulbs that waste up to 80% of their energy.
LED headlights have a bright illuminating light that doesn’t blind other road users and can also be used during the day. Due to their pure form of light and energy-saving nature, LED lights help improve fuel efficiency.
Lane Departure Assist
You can be driving along the highway and then start to switch lanes. Before switching, you had confirmed that there was no oncoming vehicle. However, as you’re about to switch, you hear someone hooting from the back.
A lane departure warning helps you avoid such incidents. It monitors the road and gives you a warning before you switch lanes.
In summary, car technology continues to evolve, hence paving the way for safer vehicles. Thanks to the advanced safety tech features, road users can have a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
