Are you concerned about the security features of your car? Automotive manufacturers have integrated different safety features like anti-lock brakes and seat belts. In fact, seat belts have saved the lives of several car drivers and passengers. But, today consumers look for better features to feel more secure during their rides. Innovative features and technologies would prevent the risk of crashes on the highway. So, let us explore the latest safety features in vehicles.
Latest safety features in vehicles
Electronic Stability Control
ESC can save your life in different situations when driving the car. In some countries, it has become a mandatory technology for many cars. It uses sensors to check sideways motion, steering angle, and wheel speed. ESC ensures automatic adjustment of engine power and brakes to allow the car to stay on the right path. While taking a turn, drivers can avoid the risk of skidding. Truck and SUV drivers will especially benefit from ESC. However, there are several outdated car models, which have no ESC.
Some experts say that vehicles with ESC systems are easily manageable during an emergency. So, if your current car has no ESC, you can replace it with a new one. The best cars in the market have the lifesaving technology to prevent crashes.
Automotive Notification About Collision
Automatic car crash notifications will save you from potential collisions. If you have experienced a crash, you may not be able to call for assistance. That is why many new vehicles have special notification systems, which automatically inform you about crashes. The technology warns first responders when it identifies the signs of a crash. It sends real-time location of your car using the connected mobile or an integrated cellular connection. Some notification systems also reveal the types of injuries depending on the collision.
A few years ago, most automobile companies used to charge a fee for providing the system. However, nowadays, most vehicles provide it free of cost. You can visit the automobile company’s website to confirm that it is an active feature on your car.
Back seat passengers’ safety
Some seat belts for the rear seat are more advanced. The scientifically proven belt designs have saved the lives of several passengers and drivers. Traditional cars should have airbags in the front.
Front-seat passengers will also benefit from safety features. Over time, automakers have thought of adding these features to keep rear passengers safe. There are belt pretensioners to make the belt tighter when you experience a collision. Moreover, load limiters minimize the belt force that secures your chest from injuries. The innovative safety features will protect both front and back passengers.
The latest vehicles come with rear-passenger alerts. They will remind drivers to monitor the back seat before getting out of the car. Sometimes, kids are left in hot vehicles that cause heat stroke. If you want to avoid these incidents, you can buy cars with back seat belt minders. As a driver, you will receive a message when the seat belt is buckled or unbuckled.
While buying the car, you have to check the rear-seat safety details. Rear passenger protection is highly important for every car owner.
Blind-spot warning systems
Blind-spot warning is an innovative system to prevent crashes. It warns you when another car is in the adjacent lane. In this situation, you cannot see that vehicle using the side mirrors or rearview.
BSW systems involve using radar, cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors to detect cars that are not visible to you. When the system detects the vehicle, you will receive a visual warning alert in your side mirror. If you trigger the turn signal, BSW technology will send a tactile alert or audible message. It denotes that it is unsafe to access the adjacent lane.
The Blind Spot Assist functionality in some latest cars applies brakes or adjusts the steering wheel.
Automatic high beams
High Beam Assist is a technology available in modern vehicles. It uses a sensor at the top of the windscreen that identifies the vehicle’s tail lights or headlights. You do not need to turn on and off high beams because it is an automated system. So, it ensures improved nighttime visibility and better usage of high beams. Some vehicles also have curve-adaptive headlights to illuminate the path in the front.
Are autonomous vehicles secure?
Autonomous cars have fulfilled the dream of driverless control. The older self-drive prototypes have some limitations in their operations. They need particular markers to work correctly and cannot manage dynamic situations.
Some partial automation elements have common applications. However, with technological improvements, you can find vehicles achieving full automation. Automation can be categorized into 6 levels-
- 0 Level- 100% manual control
- 1st Level- The combination of driver assistance (like cruise control) and manual control
- 2nd Level- As it is a partial automation, drivers should constantly monitor.
- 3rd Level- Some cars have conditional automation systems that allow you to respond to alerts even if your attention is diverted.
- 4th Level- The computer control systems need no supervision if there is high automation. Only in a few scenarios, it needs your attention.
- 5th Level- You will get full automation at this level. No human intervention is needed while operating the vehicle.
Autonomous cars in the real world do not just manage basic movements near traffic lights or buildings. However, they are also efficient at responding to unpredictable instances. When pedestrians are on the road, the car should detect it and prevent any risk. Some intricate detection systems are LiDAR and computer vision. But, there are some challenges in innovating these technologies.
Conclusion
Seamless integration of technologies into vehicles ensures driving safety and road safety. These technologies have revolutionized the automotive world. While some cars have accident prevention systems, others have automatic high beams. Even autonomous cars provide different safety levels. You can check the safety features of vehicles before making a purchase.