Here are some newest safety additions that would certainly come in handy to prevent accidents. Unlike back then, when safety additions on a vehicle amounted to 3-point seatbelts, a few airbags, traction control, and anti-lock brakes, today most buyers will hardly pay for a car unless it has the majority of the latest car safety features fitted to it.
With recent advancements in technology, the focus is rapidly shifting to avert accidents before they happen. Newer cars come fitted with a heap of safety features that give drivers some peace of mind behind the wheels. Here is a list of the latest car safety features that certainly come in handy to prevent accidents.
8 360-Degree Or Overhead Vision
While newer car models come equipped with parking sensors and a rear-vision camera, others offer a bird’s eye vision of your vehicle’s surroundings via an overhead camera. This way, drivers can take advantage of more visibility than ever.
This is especially useful when maneuvering tight spaces or when trying to gauge the superficial perimeters of a larger car. Other systems can zoom in on specific spots around the vehicle to navigate obstacles. Automakers like Jaguar Land Rover have added an enhanced ‘underfloor’ view to certain models to offer drivers a clear picture of the terrain beneath.
7 Intersection-Scanning AEB
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system has fast become an essential feature on new car models since it debuted in the late 2000s.
An AEB system uses radar- or camera-based sensors to judge closing speeds among vehicles and will automatically apply brakes if the driver does not slow down in time. AEB comes standard in some vehicles, while other cars offer different categories, including low-speed, freeway, and reverse AEB.
However, a more specific version of this tech is evolving, known as intersection-scanning AEB. Similarly, it detects approaching vehicles at intersections and alerts the driver of a possible collision. Intersection-scanning AEB system currently features on the new Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, and Toyota Yaris, to mention a few.
6 Center Airbags
Front airbags have been a standard feature on cars and light trucks since 1998. While we are familiar with front, curtain, and side airbags, center airbags are also becoming a must-have safety feature for modern cars.
Initially, center airbags were deployed from the rear center seat, but later on, a front version was designed to pop out of the side of the driver’s seat. Regardless of where it deploys from, center airbags all serve a similar purpose: they provide cushioning between occupants' heads in rollover crashes or side impact.
5 Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control is another convenient safety feature, particularly on long road trips. This system uses the vehicle’s camera and radar modules to adjust the set cruising speed and keep you in line with traffic flow.
When engaged, the car will keep a specific distance from the vehicle ahead. Some advanced version of this technology will even bring the vehicle to a complete halt in bumper-to-bumper traffic or at red lights, before restarting again.
4 Night Vision
Night vision technology isn’t a mainstream safety feature yet. However, it’s offered in certain luxury car brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Cadillac, BMW, Maybach, and Audi.
Night vision technology uses a forward-facing thermographic camera to watch for vehicles, animals, and pedestrians not easily detected in the dark by naked eyes. A small display on the vehicle’s infotainment screen shows the driver an image of what’s ahead. In advanced systems, the driver may also receive a distinct audible or visual alert accompanied by the detection of an obstacle.
3 Lane-Keeping Assist/ Lane Departure Warning
These are separate systems but ideally, work the same- to keep drivers in their lane. When activated, a lane-keeping assist directs your car to initiate a slight braking or steering adjustment, so it doesn’t swerve beyond its lane and collide with another vehicle.
A Lane departure warning, on the other hand, warns the driver when the vehicle starts to deviate from its lane into another lane. This is done via a visual cue, vibration, or beep on the instrument panel.
2 Blind-Spot Warning
Blind-spot alert/warning takes some danger out of changing lanes. It gives drivers a visual and audible notification of another vehicle besides the car in a blind spot.
To keep track of approaching cars in adjacent lanes, a blind spot monitoring system relies on ultrasonic or radar sensors naturally found on both sides of the car's rear bumper. On other vehicles, they are teamed with side-mounted cameras.
1 Safety Exit Assist
As utilized in the recent Hyundai Sante Fe SUV, safety exit assist helps prevent accidents when a car door is opened while other cars are approaching from behind. It's an extension of the blind spot monitor and has the capability to be the most sought-after feature for parents with young children.
Imagine a scenario where you are driving home with a child in the rear seat and, as is usually the case, they become desperate to use the toilet. If your younger child is developed enough to start exploring the world around him but isn't aware of the consequences of his actions, you will have activated the safety lock. This way, he can't open the doors mid-journey and possibly cause himself harm while the car is in motion.