You’ve likely heard it said many times that today’s vehicles are computers on wheels. There’s so much that goes into a digital and technologically powered car.
In the past, the only safety feature to write home about was seat belts, braking system, and airbags. Now, the auto safety space is revolutionary. According to OAL Law, fatal car accidents in the U.S. have decreased by over a fifth over the past 30 years, and that’s because of a consistent improvement in car safety features. Modern automotive safety features run on advanced technology developed and refined over time. Let’s look at some of them.
1. Sensors
According to ACKO Drive, a car can have up to 70 sensors monitoring different aspects and functions in the vehicle. The engine has between 15 and 30. Then there are window sensors, cameras, speed sensors, parking sensors, radar, light detection and ranging, temperature sensors, ultrasonic sensors that constantly monitor the surroundings, and even rain sensors that activate the wipers whenever rain drops begin falling on the windshield.
All these sensors create a 360-degree awareness bubble around the vehicle and help the driver quickly detect and act on oncoming cars, pedestrians, and lane markings. All vehicles also now have display screens or at least led indicators that communicate the sensors ‘findings’ with whoever is behind the wheels.
2. Computer Processors
The sensors don’t work in isolation; they are connected to computer processors within the car to help make sense of the data the sensors have collected. These computers are so efficient that they process the data within milliseconds. For instance, if the pedestrian sensors send a warning, the automatic brake system will react almost instantly to stop the car.
As a driver, you sometimes realize what’s happened long after because the car’s reflexes are better than yours! The pedestrian and obstacle sensors were developed because the front bumper is prone to accidents. According to Pathways by Amica, the front bumper accounts for nearly a third of all accident damage. So the processors and sensors solve real-life problems, not just add fanciness to cars.
3. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
In the past, feeling confident on the road as a beginner driver was impossible. Most things were manual, and everything depended on your competence. But since the ADAS came along, cars have features like adaptive cruise control, warning beeps when you are too close to another motorist, and lane departure warnings. They also include automatic emergency braking if a collision is imminent. This makes it easy for learners, new car owners, and people driving in new cities and towns to feel safe and in control.
Truck drivers and container transporters appreciate ADAS probably more than other motorists. Since the cars they drive are huge, maintaining control while turning, overtaking, changing lanes, and parking needs extensive mastery. According to Costimates, most roll-off containers are 8 ft wide, but the length of the dumpster increases as you size up. Such trucks and container carriers need more than a driver’s intuition to stay safe on the road!
4. Telematics/Emergency Services
If you’re in a car crash and need help ASAP, your car can call 911. That’s super fascinating, right? A vehicle can stand between life and death; a call made just in time could save lives. This slick feature is very recent, though, and you can find it in 2022 models and maybe a handful of 2021 ones.
5. Blind Spot Detection
Have you ever tried changing lanes and were startled suddenly by an angry honk? Yeah, that’s the blind spot detection for you. It’s powered by radar and cameras, which monitor the areas that are not easily visible to you as you drive. So if the sensors detect a car in your blind spot, you’ll receive a warning, and sometimes the brakes will begin to activate too. Risky drivers appreciate this feature less!
6. Parking Assistance
Parking is now easier as cars have ultrasonic sensors that tell you if you’re getting too close to that lamppost or another car. Some vehicles are so advanced that they can self-park in a parallel line, leaving just enough space on either side.
Gold carts have emergency brakes, rollover protection, and intelligent seatbelts. According to Golf News Net, in many jurisdictions, golf carts are allowed on the streets; they are only allowed on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less because they lack advanced features like obstacle detection and cruise control.
These features differ from car to car because of the year of manufacture and brand. The great news is that the car safety feature installation business is a thing now, and you can ask about what features apply to your car and get them installed.
