It’s similar for many industries, technology has revolutionised the way we think about safety, and it will only get better as time goes on. In the world of driving, technology will make the difference between somebody being seriously injured, or having a minor injury.
Keep on reading to find out some of the future thinking innovations in driver safety.
How fast has it changed?
All parts of a car have had a positive impact on a vehicle’s safety, from electric or hybrid engines, digital communications and monitoring systems, hands-free driving, surround-view cameras, radar sensors, Wi-Fi, and a collection of sensor-based features known as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Electric and hybrid engines
What makes a hybrid engine more safe for drivers is its environmental benefits. This not only positively impacts the driver, but also the people around them, due to the healthier fumes they will be inhaling.
Building on this, hybrid models of cars are heavier due to the electrical components, reducing the likelihood they would roll over in an accident.
Digital Communications and Monitoring Systems
A wide range of cars nowadays has automatic driving functionality thanks to monitoring systems, which gives the driver the ability to take a step black whilst the car safely takes control of speed, braking as well and steering wheel. However, what if an emergency was to arise where the driver needs to suddenly take over? Emergencies could include a sudden pedestrian in the road and the monitoring system has picked up on this situation.
DMS systems in vehicles allow for the car to give an emergency alert to the driver, initiating an intervention for the driver to take over and control the vehicle. The system will also give a delayed time frame that allows the transition back to the person controlling the car.
Surround view cameras can give the driver an accurate representation of the surroundings, outside, when undertaking maneuvers such as parallel parking, or overtaking.
Hands-free driving
We have just touched on monitoring systems, but what about the actual safety of hands free driving? Some benefits of this can include the driver being able to focus on the car’s internal features like hands-free calls, as well as adjusting music volume. If the driver was focusing on full control of the vehicle, then it’s more likely adjusting volume will be a distraction.
According to the National Safety Council, there are three basic requirements for staying safe when driving. These include keeping eyes on the road, hands on the wheel as well as your mind on driving. These requirements are met with hands free driving.
However, there is also evidence to suggest that hands-free driving is actually not the safest idea, due to the inability to take in everything that is around you to the extent you would if you were in full control of the vehicle.
Anti-lock brakes
The first anti-lock brake was introduced in 1966, and they help to prevent a break from locking. This leads to an increased level of vehicle control and a decreased stopping distance. As time goes on, this has only gotten better and better, and the future new technology will arise leading to an increased level of safety.In hand, this leads to a reduced number of accidents, due to the breaking speed being more responsive.
Studies show ABS can reduce the risk of multi-vehicle crashes by 18% and off-road crashes by 35%.
Overall these examples hope to give an insight into the innovations technology is having on driver safety. However, although new technology is always being introduced, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings when at the wheel.
