New Car Safety Features – New and Upcoming Driver Safety Technology

New Car Safety Features

Long gone are the days that our vehicles are seen as just a mechanism to get us from point A to B. American’s car affection is well-known, and it comes as no surprise that automotive technologies continue to evolve. While some car features might seem like nonessential luxuries, many of them can prevent injury and death on the road. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report on fatal motor vehicle crashes, the number of Americans dying in car accidents each year is on a downward trend. The decrease in traffic deaths comes as a result of road safety initiatives and new automobile safety features. Driver safety technology can save lives, and more consumers are prioritizing these features when purchasing new cars. In this article, we’ll take a look at new and future car safety features.

Animal Detection

Vehicle animal detection systems are a relatively new solution to a long-term problem. Crashes involving animals are common, expensive, and sometimes even fatal. AAA car accident data shows that every year, deer alone cause an average of 1.5 million car accidents. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo have started implementing technologies to prevent these types of crashes. These systems utilize infrared cameras and radar detection to recognize animals that could end up in drivers’ paths. The technology then responds – applying the brake system to stop or slow the car – to prevent and reduce the severity of crashes.

Biometric Vehicle Access

Auto manufacturers are developing new solutions to prevent vehicle theft. Biometric vehicle access lets owners unlock and start their cars using fingerprint or facial recognition technology. Hyundai introduced its Santa Fe with Smart Fingerprint technology to Chinese markets in 2019, making it the first major auto company to offer the technology. As more companies transition away from keys and key fobs, biometric vehicle access will likely become more common.

Car-to-Car Communication

Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication lets automobiles exchange information to determine potential crash threats. This technology can reduce car accidents and traffic congestion. NHTSA V2V data predicts that it could prevent 615,000 crashes each year. V2V communication systems utilize short-range radio signals to communicate information and cross-traffic alerts. The systems then alert drivers so they can take action and avoid potential dangers. Audi, Ford, GM, and Toyota have started to implement variants of V2V communication technology.

Driver Health Monitoring

Many car safety features will soon include active health monitoring. Ford has previewed plans to introduce seat belt and steering wheel sensors that track drivers’ vitals. These sensors detect problems like heart attacks and then use integrated vehicle technology to pull over and alert medical personnel. This will increase safety for drivers and others on the road.

Driver Override Systems

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can prevent driver, passenger, and pedestrian deaths. The systems utilize sensors and cameras to alert drivers about possible dangers, and in some cases, take control of the car. ADAS are common across most 2020 vehicle models, and some of these features are making cars more autonomous. Features such as automatic emergency braking override drivers’ actions to help avoid collisions. Some driver override systems operate at city speeds, while others are only effective at highway speed. Companies including BMW, Honda, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Volvo are implementing these technologies.

External Airbags

A German auto supplier became the first company to introduce airbags for the outside of a car. In 2019, ZF Friedrichshafen AG presented its external airbags to the market. The technology utilizes sensors that detect imminent crashes and then deploy large, exterior airbags within 100 milliseconds. External airbags can protect vehicles and everyone involved. Outside airbags spread the force of collision along the length of vehicles’ side structures, reducing overall energy load and impact. This reduces damage from fender benders and other accidents.

Forward Collision Warning

Forward collision warning (FCW) is a popular, effective car crash prevention technology. FCW systems alert drivers about potential crashes using audio, visual, and tactile alerts. The technology has been proven to promote safe driving and help drivers avoid accidents. FCW collision data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that it reduces the likelihood of rear-end accidents by 27%. The safety systems are available in new car models from major automakers including Acura, Chrysler, Honda, Jaguar, Lincoln, Lexus, and Ram.

Lane-Centering Assist

Some vehicles are now equipped with forward-facing cameras that monitor when drivers begin crossing lane markings. Lane-centering assist (LCA) responds to this feedback by automatically centering the automobile. More than 30 automakers include LCA and other lane departure warning systems in their newest models. LCA can be particularly helpful for truck drivers and other people who spend a lot of time on the road. Drivers who are tired or losing focus are susceptible to drifting lanes, and, as a result, causing truck accidents. LCA is also helpful as a winter weather safety feature to correct drifting.

Pedestrian Detection

Pedestrian detection is one of the new forms of driver override systems gaining popularity. Vehicles with this technology use cameras to spot pedestrians and then automatically brake as needed. This helps prevent pedestrian injury and death. In 2019, nearly two-thirds of new vehicles with crash-prevention systems had pedestrian detection technology.

Transparent A-Pillars

‘A-pillars’ are the vertical supports at the front of vehicles that hold the windshield in place. For decades, vehicle designers have made A-pillars denser to provide additional support if a car flips over. While this is great for safety in a rollover, they also present a blind spot and obfuscate drivers’ vision. A team of designers provided a solution: Continental’s R&D team introduced its transparent pillar prototype in 2018. The pillars give drivers a fuller view of their surroundings, making it easier for them to see pedestrians, cyclists, and other potential collision victims. While the pillars are not yet on the market, Continental has built the pillars into a Chevrolet Bolt to test the technology.