Motorlease Vehicle Innovation Series: October Collision Prevention Technology

In this version of our Vehicle Innovation Series, we’re going to talk about some of the technology that is driving automotive safety forward today. The past decade has been one of the most innovative eras in automotive history, and the U.S Department of Transportation has called the technological updates “a revolution in safety”.  The safest vehicles on the roads now are the ones with the most advanced technology. So buckle up for safety and join us for the ride as we take a tour of some of the innovations in crash avoidance and occupant protection.

Today’s cars are safer than ever

Each year, vehicles are equipped with more and more advanced safety features. In fact, today’s automobile might just be the most sophisticated piece of technology that is owned by most consumers. Crash avoidance and driver-assist technologies use intricate sensor-based software that allows the vehicle to automatically analyze the environment around the car and alert drivers to unsafe conditions. Leading-edge sensors, cameras, and radar-based technologies monitor potential blind spots, lane departures, and employ automatic braking to keep drivers and occupants safe. 

In addition, the number of airbags that are standard in today’s vehicles now include front, rear, side, and curtain bags, as well as a multitude of other safety features such as structural improvements and updated seat belts that keep occupants protected and reduce vulnerability in the event of an impending crash. 

Safety protection for teens and new drivers

One of the most daunting times any parent can experience is a teen taking to the road, and the world suddenly becomes filled with potential hazards. Readily available modern safety technology can relieve some of those fears and help make driving less dangerous for novice drivers. 

Some of the best new automotive features in 21st-century cars have been developed around braking sensors. These include Automatic Emergency Braking systems (AEB), Crash Imminent Braking (CIB), and Dynamic Brake Support (DBS). AEB systems work explicitly to prevent accidents before they occur by employing alert alarms like vibrating the steering wheel and driver’s seat. If the driver doesn’t brake in response, the AEB system will automatically apply the brakes to prevent the collision or lessen the impact. Another advanced safety feature now offered is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which utilizes radar sensors to keep safe distances between your vehicle and the one in front of you. When the ACC is employed, it will keep pace with the cars around you until it senses a potential impact danger, at which point the ACC will use the car’s AEB system to reduce speed or stop the vehicle.  

Listen to your car

The old saying,” Mother knows best,” can now be revised to be “your car knows best.” It can tell you when you are in danger of backing into another car in the parking lot, about to be in a collision, and even senses when you are too tired to be driving. For example, Volvo has a feature that delivers a drowsiness alert message if you relax your grip on the steering wheel too much or if you drift out of your lane. If the behavior continues, the vehicle will tell you to pull over and even offer the name of a hotel and directions. Just like having Mom in the passenger seat!

These ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot protection sensors, have proven indispensable with lowering accident rates and saving lives. According to research, cars equipped with these protections have a 27% reduction in bodily injury rates and a 19% reduction in property damage frequency. And all these are just the beginning. More and more safety innovations will make the road safer as technology advances, and new features are added to cars of the future.