Driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Although fatal driving statistics have continued to improve over the years, car crashes are still the leading cause of death worldwide. The type of vehicle you drive, the time of the day, and the weather are some life-or-death factors you’ll face. Your odds of becoming involved in a collision one to three times in your life depend not only on your driving ability but also on that of other traffic participants. Modern technology has succeeded in reducing the likelihood and severity of car accidents. Just as it has the power to save lives, innovation is also capable of causing car crashes. Smartphones and dashboard infotainment systems are good examples.
Keep on reading to discover the most innovative auto technologies that reduce the risk of accidents.
Blind Spot Detection
Your peripheral vision and quick side glances enable you to see at a 180-degree angle that crosses your side mirrors. In between these two areas, there’s a 50-degree angle of obscure space on either side of the vehicle. It’s impossible to see what’s around you, and other drivers can’t see you. Blind spots can hide deadly hazards. Blind spots can be avoided when driving only if you use blind spot detection, an advanced driving assistance system that alerts you to vehicles or passengers that may have escaped visibility. You receive constant updates on the status of the blind spots and the warnings can be visual, audible, vibrating, or tactile.
Once you get used to the blind spot detection system and how it works, it will become an integral part of your driving routine. Newer automobiles have a Blind Spot Assist function that helps drivers overcome some of the most common hazards on the road. It may adjust the steering wheel or apply the brakes to avoid a potential collision. Blind spot detection is particularly helpful in modern cars because they have larger side and rear blind spots. It’s like having another set of eyes. Increased demand for blind spot detection is viewed as one of the major trends in the automotive industry.
Lane Departure Warning
The lane departure warning system quickly alerts you if you cross over to the dividing lanes, so you can avoid a crash. Some versions of this technology go as far as taking control of the car and making sure it stays within the lane for the driver. This is done by taking control of the steering wheel. The cameras and onboard computers detect the center of the lane and turn the vehicle to avoid a collision. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that the lane departure system doesn’t notify you if the turn signal is on or if you apply the brakes.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert System
Some manufacturers include a rear cross-traffic alert system or offer it as an option that buyers can add when they purchase a vehicle. It’s like a backup camera, in the sense that it detects approaching vehicles, animals, people, and other moving objects. When something is approaching, the system will let you know. An audible warning will alert you to the incoming vehicle’s intended maneuver. Equally, the lights in the side view mirror may flash. When backing out of a place, reverse slowly and remember to always check over your right and left shoulder and be cautious.
If you’re reversing and a car hits you, you might be wondering who’s to blame. The person at fault is the one who caused the accident. If the other driver was following the pattern and flow of traffic, and you weren’t, you’re responsible for what happened. Nevertheless, if the other driver was negligent in any way, they’re at fault for the collision. From whiplash injuries to fractures, car accidents can cause numerous injuries. Even if you’re the type of person to sue, a lawsuit is the only way to make things right. You can obtain compensation for injuries sustained in car accident in the UK. Reach out to a lawyer and get started.
Adaptive Headlights
As the name clearly suggests, adaptive headlights adapt to changing road conditions to better illuminate your path. Most car accidents occur at night, dusk, or dawn, even if there’s less traffic, and adaptive headlights allow you to see everything, at all times. The headlights use electronic sensors that can detect your steering angle, so they change based on the direction your ride is heading. Evening and night trips are possible, even at high speeds. The technology goes so far as to use bad pixels, so as to say, on the Led matrix to dim some parts of the space. This way, another driver won’t be blinded by your car’s beams.
Driver Monitoring Systems
Drowsy driving is dangerous even if you don’t fall asleep. You don’t pay attention to the road as you should, reaction times are slower if you need to break all of a sudden, and you’re not able to make good decisions. Even a tiny bit of sleep deprivation is enough to induce sluggish steering or falling asleep. Fortunately, vehicle manufacturers are developing new driver monitoring systems to detect impairment and enable proper interventions. Infrared sensors are used to monitor driver alertness, checking their level of vigilance to increase safety for passengers and other road users.
Driver monitoring systems are expected to become a standard feature in new automobiles due to regulatory and rating agency requirements. They play an important part in driver safety, not to mention that their reliable analysis empowers the development of technologies that are paramount for supporting highly autonomous driving functions. In 2019, the Council of Europe and the European Union voted to adopt regulations mandating the presence of advanced safety systems in automobiles. Under the new rules, all cars must be equipped with driver monitoring systems, which alert drivers so that they pay attention.
Many argue that modern technology makes drivers less acute when on the road. Contrary to popular opinion, technology is a lifesaver and there are countless scientific studies to support this. A technologically advanced vehicle is less likely to get into an accident.
