Since the advent of motor vehicles, accidents have been a concern for drivers and care companies alike. As cars get faster and faster, the concern grows and accidents that lead to injury or even death are still common. For this reason, researchers have spent years developing advanced technology to implement new car models to keep drivers safe on the road. From autonomous emergency braking to AI-powered driver assistance, every year these technological features get better and the road gets safer. Read below for why and how advanced technology reduces the risk of car accidents.
Collision Avoidance Systems
One of the most important advancements in automotive technology and safety is collision avoidance systems. These systems use cameras around the exterior of the vehicle, sensors, and even radar to detect oncoming danger or possible collisions with other vehicles or objects on the road. If something is detected, the car will beep, alerting the driver of the danger and aiding them in directing the vehicle out of the way. With newer technology, if the driver does not react quickly enough, the vehicle can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or reduce the severity of the collision.
Lane Departure Warning and Lane-Keeping Assist
Sometimes during a morning commute or a hectic afternoon drive, you may find yourself drifting from your lane. This is something that happens to most drivers and is the reason why technology has been invented to keep vehicles in their lanes and avoid accidents.
This is a helpful resource for car accident victims as they can prove that their car had these features and, thus, they were not the cause of the accident. The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) alerts drivers right away when they unintentionally drift into another lane while the Lane-Keeping Assistant (LKA) gently steers the vehicle back into its lane and back on course. These systems help prevent side-swiping accidents and head-on collisions.
Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
The traditional system of maneuvering your entire body to look into your blind spot is phasing out due to blind spot monitoring technology. Instead of having to turn your whole head and temporarily take your attention away from the traffic in front of you, side cameras give you a clear view of your blind spot, allowing you to change lanes with less stress and more caution. Similarly, rear cross-traffic alert systems will beep to warn drivers of oncoming vehicles when they are backing out of parking spaces or reversing for other reasons. This technology is reducing the amount of accidents seen in parking lots and driveways.
Adaptive Cruise Control
When traveling for long distances, having cruise control is a helpful tool to save fuel and also give the driver more attention on the road. Newer cruise control systems are now adaptive and allow drivers to gradually increase and decrease the speed of the car without having to fully turn off the cruise control each time. This prevents sudden stopping and helps drivers maintain control of the speed of the car much easier.
Advanced technology is transforming road safety by reducing human error, giving drivers a better picture of the roads around them, and automating critical functions.
