CAR safety has come a long way. Some brands take pride in how the vehicle design, construction and equipment contribute to a safer ride, and use it as a marketing tool.
Aspects of car safety
Car safety features can generally be classified under two categories. The first is referred to as active safety and has systems or technology that help you avoid a crash. The second group is known as passive safety and consists of components of the vehicle that help to protect occupants during a crash.
Here are some of the more common safety features found in cars today.
Airbags inflate in a collision to prevent front occupants from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, and windshield. Some SUVs or luxury cars even have side airbags, tubular airbags that inflate from the roof, and side air curtains for added protection against head injuries in a side-impact collision.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
The purpose of an anti-lock braking system is to prevent a crash from taking place. It stops a vehicle’s wheels from locking and skidding during emergency braking, giving the driver greater control over the steering.
Some cars have ABS that also include brake assist, a system which can sense an emergency braking situation taking place when it detects a faster speed or greater force at which the driver presses the brake pedal. It boosts the braking power, thus reducing the stopping distance.
Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)
Electronic brake force distribution automatically applies the appropriate braking pressure to each wheel in order to maximise stopping power and help the driver to maintain steering control. This system is often used in conjunction with ABS.
Traction control aids vehicle stability during acceleration or when driving on slippery roads. It monitors the speed of all four tyres, and if it senses that one tyre is moving faster than the others, the computer will slow that wheel down so that it can regain traction.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This is a crash avoidance system that reduces the danger of skidding or losing control if you need to swerve or brake suddenly. It uses computer-controlled technology to apply individual brakes and help bring the car safely back on track.