Before, there were just seat-belts. No vehicle should be running on the streets or on the tracks if they fail to have the “oldie-but-goodie” harness. Today, safety features comes in all numerous forms. Only time would tell on what other technology-based safety nets would be developed for the future evolution of motor vehicles.
With all the research and development being done by numerous car manufacturers through the course of time, more and more innovations have settled inside our favorite carriages. Here are some of the safety equipment seen on today’s vehicles.
Airbags. Apart from the seatbelts, many car manufacturers’ added features such as airbags. These airbags inflate on impact so as to further reduce the effects of car crashes. The first airbags were initially installed to put additional restraint for the driver and the front passenger, who are just inches away from the windshield. However, fast-forward to a few years more, and manufacturers started developing more supplementary airbags strategically-placed around the vehicle.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Tires are the vehicles foot thereby keeping it in it tip-top shape would cut the possibility of road crashes. Tire pressure monitoring system immediately informs the driver that the air pressure might be low or high. Some vehicles offer this apparatus as part of the vehicle while there are also available in the aftermarket.
Adaptive Cruise Control. The cruise control is primarily designed to maintain a vehicle’s constant speed. However, some vehicles have interconnected the device with other sensors and radar to give one a safe distance from another vehicle in front should there be changes in traffic.
Collision Warning. This type of development was tailor-fit to alert the drivers on objects and other cars that are within the blind spots during parking and/or driving. One is alerted if there are any objects in the way with a loud beep, a blinking light, among others.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The Electronic Stability Control or ESC is designed to decrease the chances of skid, or fishtailing caused by oversteering. As soon as the driver loses control of the vehicle, the car’s computer system engages and applies individual amount of brake pressure.
Adaptive Headlights. The goal of having adaptive headlights is to give drivers a clearer view of the road ahead. Some vehicles automatically adjust from dim to bright as it reaches speeds of 80 kilometers per hour up. Headlights also follow the direction of the vehicle (bending the light as you go around corners) and/or compensate for ambient light.
Hill Start Assist Feature. This feature is best suited when stopping uphills and downhills. Vehicles with hill hold assist system will give the drivers enough grip of the road without the use of the brakes (foot or hand brake) so as to prevent it from freewheeling forwards or backwards. Once activated, the vehicle would stand steadily. And a light tap on the gas would let the vehicle go to where the driver intends it to go.
With all the accidents happening on our roads, it seems that the only thing lacking in the car is disciplined and knowledgeable drivers. If drivers are well-mannered and cognizant, then all these features would complement with the car, thereby decreasing the risk of car crashes.