Driving always presents a certain amount of risk. Accidents happen, and sometimes they can be very serious. But driving has never been safer, and that is largely due to the technological safety innovations that have found their way into cars over recent years. Here are some of the best technology solutions that you may now find when you buy a new car.
Cruise Control
Semiautonomous cruise control is often found in luxury brands like Tesla. Also called adaptive cruise control, it involves the vehicle taking over the steering and the throttle, which can be great when you are in a traffic jam.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC is not new, but it is a fantastic safety feature. ESC detects when the car loses grip, and it then regains control to prevent sliding and help to prevent crashes. It is now a standard feature on most models.
Lane Departure Warning
This feature makes use of a camera to alert drivers when they start to move out of their lane. It is great if you drive on the freeway a lot. Sometimes drivers become tired or drowsy, or even fall asleep while driving, and this helps to prevent accidents from happening.
Backup Cameras
Backup cameras now come with many car models, but you can also purchase them separately for most cars. They are soon to become standard on models, and they allow you to see behind your vehicle to reduce the risk of blind spots so you don’t back into anything or anyone.
Blind Spot Monitors
Similar to backup cameras, blind spot monitors alert the driver when a vehicle is in their blind spot, sometimes by displaying a warning light. This helps the driver to avoid pulling out when another vehicle is trying to overtake. They are more common in new vehicles now, but they can also be added on to most cars.
Intelligent Braking
This is a system used in some vehicles that measures when the driver brakes, and then applies an extra braking boost if not enough force is used. There are even more advanced options now as well, making use of cameras and even radar sensors. They can brake even if the driver does not, helping to reduce the impact of a collision or to avoid it completely.
Don’t Let Safer Vehicles Lead to Carelessness
Cars are certainly getting safer, but don’t let that lead you into a false sense of security. Until cars are driving themselves, you will still have to be careful when behind the wheel. Even a small crash can be serious and costly, and the driver is always responsible no matter what safety features they have.
Also remember to act quickly if you involved in a crash that is not your fault. Sometimes this situation can be very tricky. For example, if you have an accident in a rental car or your own car, and the at-fault party does not have enough insurance, you may want to take legal action. Sometimes insurance companies try to pay out less than they should, and having legal assistance can ensure you get the money that you deserve.
Cars Are Getting Smarter
Cars continue to get smarter, and it won’t be too long until we won’t even have to drive them. Until that day arrives, however, continue to take advantage of the smart technology solutions that make driving safer than ever before, and always take the utmost care when driving on the road.
Dan Wethers is a driving instructor and all round car fanatic who, despite likely losing his job, is excited at the prospect of driverless cars and enjoys keeping up to date with all the latest driving tech available to drivers nowadays.
