Car Safety Technology Features That Can Save A Life

Crash prevention technology is much more advanced than it used to be years ago. While many car owners cannot afford some of the really expensive features, the truth is that there are always options available that can improve the safety of your vehicle. Remember that most technology capable of saving lives is affordable. You can easily improve safety if you want to.

To make it easier for you to figure out what safety features you should consider, WhatIsSUV specialists highlight the following as particularly useful.

Wireless Rearview Cameras

While many modern cars already have rearview cameras, older models do not. Fortunately, you can always install wireless rearview cameras. The system is made out of one camera installed close to your license plate. Then, a monitor is installed inside the vehicle. You just need a good power source and you are good to go. This lifesaving camera technology will make it much easier to park and will drastically reduce the possibility you will be in a collision as you drive in reverse.

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

When it comes to avoiding accidents, the most important technology you need is automatic braking. It is highly effective at preventing collisions and is nowadays included in most cars manufactured after 2020. If you buy a new or used vehicle, this is the technology you should absolutely see as the main one when interested in safety.

The two main types available right now are:

·         Rear Automatic Braking

This car safety feature is going to stop or at least slow down the vehicle as it is placed in reverse. Usually, this is done with the use of sensors or/and cameras capable of monitoring objects present behind the car. Based on reports from Consumer Reports, rear automatic braking systems lower the possibility of being in a reverse accident by a whopping 78%. The percentage is significant and should be remembered since many rear-ended collisions actually involve children getting hurt.

·         Forward Automatic Braking

There are 2 types of forward automatic braking. The first one is CIB, which stands for crash imminent braking. This technology will brake your vehicle whenever sensing that an impending collision will happen. It does not matter what action the driver is going to take. The second type is dynamic brake support. This technology is activated as you apply your brake. If you do not apply enough for the vehicle to stop the collision, the technology kicks in to brake more.

Both autonomous emergency braking systems can also include pedestrian detection. This will reduce the collisions happening between people and vehicles. 

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

A study conducted by the IIHS in 2022 showed that large vehicles and SUVs often hit pedestrians during turning. Unfortunately, in 2020, deaths involving pedestrian crashes went up by an alarming 59%, which totaled to 6,500 fatalities in the US. In the exact same year, motor vehicle crashes led to 54,700 pedestrian injuries. This increase in incidents was attributed to the existence of blind spots.

One thing you might not know is that cars can have several blind spots. They are present on the side-rear mirrors, in the back, in the A-pillar car sections, and on the sides. According to studies, when the car is larger, there are more blind spots that appear. With the use of BSW (blind spot warning) systems, sensors are utilized to scan these blind spot areas. If there is danger detected, a warning is issued so the driver knows.

The BSW warning is automatically activated when you make a lane change, brake, or steer and the blind spot is detected to be occupied by a pedestrian, another vehicle, or basically any other object.

The technology is very effective for basically all drivers. Most of the ones who do have blind spot warning systems installed are very satisfied.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

ACC is a very general name that describes several possible complex safety systems created with the purpose of maintaining safe following distances between vehicles. As the ACC is engaged, the vehicle speed is actively and automatically adjusted.

Most drivers already heard about ACC. But, it can be present under different names, like dynamic cruise control, active cruise control, automatic cruise control, radar cruise control, and intelligent cruise control. The term basically depends on the vehicle brand.

Adaptive Cruise Control takes advantage of sensory data that is transmitted through lasers, cameras, LiDAR, or radars. Several advanced features can be combined with ACC for a better and safer driving experience.

In Motion And Parked Vehicle Safety Features

An unexpected 20% of the accidents actually happen in garages and parking lots. Based on information coming from the NSC (National Safety Council), these accidents end up injuring around 60,000 people per year, all with around 50,000 crashes recorded.

The problem is that parked drivers are usually distracted. They can also be surprised due to unexpected events as reverse driving happens. An RCTA (rear cross-traffic alert) takes advantage of cameras and/or sensors in order to check the back part of the vehicle or the sides.

Then, we also have LDW (lane departure warning). The system is very important when it comes to saving a life during vehicle motion. LDW was designed with the purpose of alerting drivers that they are about to drift out of the driving lane and no turn signal is used. The LDW is not going to control your car. However, it can be combined with several other advanced safety features that can correct the course or brake the vehicle.

Final Thoughts

There are several advanced safety features included in modern vehicles. The more you get, the more secure you are going to be on the road. It is really important to look at everything that the car has available when you buy it. Also, in the event that you can invest in some upgrades, it is something to take into account because car safety technology can actually save your life. And, at the end of the day, many of the features are not as effective as you might believe.