Road and vehicle safety is of the utmost importance, and any measure taken in this direction is highly necessary. This way, the number of car crashes can be significantly reduced, which is undoubtedly an essential goal, given the fact that these types of collisions are so frequent. Many of them happen even though they could have easily been avoided. For example, in the United States, there are more than 100 car accidents happening every day. Plus, in 2020, there was a 7.2% increase in traffic fatalities from the previous year.
All the data that points to more fatalities or likelihood of car crashes, and little to no measures taken to prevent them, are worrying. Therefore, there is great urgency in acquiring new technologies and implementing methods that ensure vehicle safety and avoid vehicle collisions. Indeed, it is not possible to prevent all accidents, as they can still happen, unfortunately, even with safety measures in place. However, it is of the utmost importance to implement changes that can significantly diminish the number of these car collisions.
Some vehicles already have technologies in place that can support a safe driving experience, such as automatic emergency braking. And there is no doubt that with such systems, it is possible to reduce the probability of car crashes. However, it must be mentioned that only by making these technologies standard equipment in cars will it be possible to dramatically lower the percentage of minor and fatal collisions.
This being said, here are five helpful methods and new technologies that can ensure vehicle safety on the roads if they are all implemented:
Anti-Lock Braking Systems
This first technology that can help provide safer roads is not among the latest, recently emerged ones. In Europe by now, there should already be around 90% of vehicles with ABS technology implemented. What this does is prevent the braking system of a car from blocking its wheels – as the name clearly implies – when a driver has to press the brakes heavily and unexpectedly.
In some cases, when there might be a hazard on the road that needs to be avoided, drivers must press the brakes and keep steering in order to go around that hazard present. Even though it isn’t new, this ABS technology continues to be a priority needed in vehicles around the world.
Electronic Stability Control
There are times when the road presents possible dangers and could cause a vehicle accident. Whether the quality of the road is poor or the weather conditions are causing the roads to be more dangerous, there is no denying that sometimes the risks cannot be eliminated.
In this case, it is crucial the driver knows how to maintain control of the car. For example, during wintertime, if there is ice present on the road, drivers must be extremely cautious. For an inexperienced driver, this is even more challenging. But there is a technology that can help – electronic stability control. When turning a corner, the driver is supported by the ESC system to keep control of the car. The technology activates the brakes to prevent slipping on the road.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Apart from knowing all the traffic signs in-depth and what they signify, drivers must also learn how to react rapidly in case of imminent danger on the road. They should be alert at all times when in traffic. However, as fast a driver’s response time may be, there are situations when it can be quite challenging to react and respond in a split of a second, given that there are many things that drivers must pay attention to in traffic.
This is where the AEB technology comes in. This system is able to detect danger on the road or an imminent collision faster than a person could. Therefore, if the driver is not responding fast enough or at all, the AEB activates the brakes. This way, a collision can be avoided. And if not, at least the impact and its consequences are significantly reduced.
Blind Spot Monitoring
Nowadays, recording cameras and sensor systems are crucial for a vehicle in order to improve and ensure road and site safety. Such technology is vital, especially to reduce the number of car collisions that take place because of the reduced visibility in the “blind spot” of a car. As the name says, the driver is “blind” to whatever danger may be present in that area, resulting in a minor or more severe crash. Given this threat, a technology called blind spot monitoring emerged.
The technology has various warning systems in place that can alert the driver of possible danger in their blind spot. Depending on the model of the car, these warning signs include vibration in the steering wheel, a distinct chime or an alerting sign in the car’s board.
Attention Detection Systems
When a driver has to be on the road for an extended amount of time, it is highly likely for the driver to start getting tired. Fatigue can be one of the major causes of a car collision. This is when the driver can quickly lose control of the vehicle. When tiredness behind the wheel takes place, drivers risk falling asleep, which can lead to severe collisions. So, if you know there is a long road ahead of you, it is advisable to take breaks often or even divide the trip.
In order to avoid this type of unfortunate event, there is also a technology that can be extremely useful. Attention detection systems have the role of warning the driver when it is time for a break, and driving should be stopped. This technology can assess how many hours the driver has been behind the wheel and whether the wheel is being operated suspiciously, indicating fatigue signs.
Final Words
No one can deny that technological advancements applied to vehicles are a must. With high-quality tech and systems implemented in more and more cars, the number of car collisions can be heavily reduced, or the severity of such crashes can diminish.
Such a goal should be on the priority list of automotive makers, but more importantly, on a country’s government institution. Positive signs can already be noticed with cars with some of the aforementioned technologies implemented, ensuring vehicle safety on the road.
