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Auto Safety Technology Takes Another Leap Forward

Car manufacturers realize that the success of their brands depends not only upon the reliability of their vehicles, but also upon the features they offer. Some options, such as heated seats and iPod docks, are designed to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. Other options are focused on keeping drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe. Rear view cameras, airbags, and anti-lock brakes are good examples.

Automakers continue to design safety technologies that all but guarantee their drivers will remain safe behind the wheel. To that end, new features have debuted over the last twelve months that will likely become available in a growing number of models. We’ll describe a few of them below.

Advanced Night Vision

Automobiles have been equipped with night vision for years. This option allows motorists to see more clearly when street lamps are scarce and headlights are unable to illuminate long stretches of the road in front of them. One of the limitations of early night vision technology was that it couldn’t detect pedestrians well. BMW recently introduced an advanced version of the feature. Not only does it help drivers see more clearly, but it can detect pedestrians and identify the direction in which they’re moving. If the system identifies a possible collision, an alert is delivered to the driver.

Comprehensive Camera Views

Rear view cameras have become popular in SUVs and other large-capacity vehicles because they help eliminate rear blind spots. Automakers (BMW is one of them) have slowly begun to install additional cameras into their fleets to increase the viewing area. Currently, most vehicles equipped with supplemental monitors let motorists observe the rear blind spot as well as the sides. Infiniti has recently released a feature that offers a comprehensive view around the entire vehicle.

Infrared Sensors

Preventing fender benders and other traffic collision remains a high priority for car manufacturers. As streets and highways across the country become more congested, there is a greater likelihood of being involved in an accident. Automakers have designed a number of features that help drivers avoid collisions. The latest technology that is being installed into high-end models uses infrared sensors.

The infrared sensors monitor the proximity of the vehicles ahead of the driver. If the sensors determine that the motorist is traveling too quickly, and a collision is probable at that speed, the system engages the brakes. This feature is currently limited to low speeds (under 25 mph), but will likely encompass higher speeds as the technology evolves.

We’re driving at faster speeds than ever while enjoying a larger menu of options that help make the driving experience more enjoyable. These two factors combine to increase the safety risk while we’re on the road. This is the reason automakers devote a significant amount of resources to designing features that are more capable of protecting drivers and passengers.

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An Introduction To Upgrading Your Car’s Lights

Without headlights, we’d be forced to limit our driving to the daytime hours. Luckily, the lamps which sit in the front of our vehicles allow us to safely drive (even if at slower speeds) when it’s dark. However, many cars, trucks, and SUVs are equipped with a set of lights that perform their basic job, but little else. Upgrading them offers a host of benefits.

For some, driving is limited to city streets; streetlights offer sufficient lighting which provides reasonable safety. Other motorists enjoy going off-road where streetlights are all but nonexistent. Still others enjoy having the flexibility to add special headlights to their vehicles to match their personal style. Below, we’ll explore each of these reasons for upgrading your car’s lights.

Investing In An Upgrade

Automakers install lighting systems on their fleets that are designed to look attractive. That said, their priority is equipping their vehicles with the parts their customers expect; aesthetics come second. You may have noticed over the years how headlights seem homogeneous across different makes and models – even across different car manufacturers. That alone is proof that little thought goes into designing an appealing lighting system.

You can buy OEM replacements or opt for something with more flair. The type and style of the replacement will depend on the make and model you’re driving. Some automakers have begun to offer multiple options for buyers who want to upgrade on the dealership lot.

Driving Outside The Norm

If you’re only making a quick trip to the grocery store, you obviously won’t need special lights installed on your vehicle. However, if you enjoy taking your truck or SUV camping or off-road, special headlights are valuable. Without them, you might find yourself stranded with your vehicle stuck in an unexpected ravine or ditch – or worse, with a damaged axle.

If you enjoy a rougher drive, consider purchasing special off-road headlights to guide your way. The mounting, size, and material (i.e. plastic, aluminum, or steel) you choose will depend on your rig.

Preparing For The Unpredictable

Even in areas that enjoy a generous number of streetlights, dense fog can settle in unexpectedly and make driving dangerous. Most people instinctively turn their high-beams on, but that can often further reduce your visibility and cause more trouble. Auxiliary lights are designed to help you drive through inclement weather, including heavy rain or pea soup fog. While they add a flair of personal style, their main priority is to improve your safety behind the wheel.

A lot of motorists never think to upgrade the lights on their vehicles. Even though we install spoilers, billet grilles, roof racks, and deflectors, headlights somehow escape our notice. But, the right set of lights can make a safe, stylish addition to any car, truck, or SUV.

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The Changing Landscape Of Automotive Safety

Over a decade ago, all vehicles were tested for driver safety by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIFHS). The goal was simple: to identify models that offered less than adequate protection for motorists in the event of a collision. When the tests were first launched, the results were startling; dozens of models failed.

Since then, auto manufacturers have devoted their resources toward building vehicles that protect drivers and passengers from collision impact. In effect, automotive safety has become a priority. Today’s article will address upon how the industry is shifting their focus. I’ll describe the two-pronged approach taken by automakers as well as new advances in braking technology.

A Shift In Focus

When the IIFHS’s tests debuted, they focused mainly on frontal impacts. At the time, evidence suggested that frontal crashes caused a greater proportion of injuries and fatalities. That has changed. As a result of the mandated installment of airbags in vehicles over the last decade, fewer serious injuries and deaths are caused by front collisions. The focus has moved to side impacts.

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and IIFHS now test vehicles for their ability to protect passengers from side collisions. While these type of accidents happen less frequently than frontal impacts, a larger portion of vehicular deaths are attributable to them. By conducting rigorous safety tests, the NHTSA and IIFHS hope to encourage automakers to install side airbags that offer better head protection.

Protection Versus Prevention

The automotive industry is pursuing driver safety on two paths. While car manufacturers are installing better impact protection measures (i.e. airbags), they are also developing collision prevention systems. Lane-change warning devices, electronic stability control, advanced cruise control, and other devices seek to manage the risk of traffic accidents.

One of the advantages of taking the prevention route is that such systems do not require platform modifications. Automakers can install preventative devices without changing the structural design of their fleets.

Advance In Braking Technology

The technology behind anti-lock brakes has expanded rapidly. Even though millions of drivers own cars equipped with anti-lock brakes, few truly understand how they work. Unfortunately, that prevents motorists from using them effectively when a collision is imminent. Car manufacturers are now designing braking systems that can “sense” when a motorist wants to aggressively apply the brakes, but is tentative. In the event of a looming accident, the ABS will trigger the brakes fully even if the driver does not actively engage them.

Driver safety remains a top priority for auto manufacturers. Even as vehicles become more advanced, the potential for accident-related injuries and fatalities is always present. By pursuing measures that are both protective and preventative, automakers can design vehicles that give motorists peace of mind.

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