New Vehicle Safety Features could Help Reduce Car Crashes
Over the years cars have gotten safer as more safety features have been introduced; safety features can help reduce car crashes. Sometimes vehicle manufacturers have taken their own initiative to produce additional safety features and sometimes the federal government has had to step in to legislate safety changes.
Take a look at these five new vehicle safety features that could help reduce car crashes on our roads and highways:
- Adaptive Headlights
Particularly in the dark, it can be difficult for drivers to see clearly on curved roads. Decreased vision means increased risk of car crashes. The new adaptive headlights automatically pivot in the direction you’re traveling by using information such as steering wheel movement and vehicle speed.
- Blind Spot Monitoring/Blind Spot Detection
A “blind spot” is when you’re driving and are unable to see a vehicle that is right behind or beside you because they are hidden from view. Blind spot accidents occur when drivers change lanes without realizing that there is a car in the way. Blind spot monitoring systems visually alert the driver when a vehicle is traveling in the blind spot with the alerts becoming brighter or louder if the driver turns on their signal to change lanes. Some advanced systems even activate the brakes or steering controls to help prevent car crashes.
- Front-Crash Prevention
Rear-end or front-crash accidents are all too common. Front-crash prevention systems use forward-facing sensors to monitor the distance and relative speed between vehicles. If the system senses that you are getting too close to the vehicle in front of you and are risking a car crash, it will alert the driver with sound, visual cues or physical sensations such as a vibration of the steering wheel. If the driver fails to respond to the cues, some systems will make adjustments to lessen the crash impact or automatically activate the brakes to prevent a crash from happening.
- Lane Departure Prevention
Staying within one’s lane while driving is important to preventing a car accident. Lane departure prevention systems keep track of a vehicle’s position in a lane often by placing a camera near the rearview mirror. If the vehicle seems to be leaving the lane unintentionally – including merging without a signal – the system will create an alert such as sound, vibration or visual cues on the dashboard. Some systems also use light steering or braking to correct a lane departure.
- Park Assist and Backover Protection
Park assist and backover protection systems may soon be required in most vehicles. Their purpose is to help drivers avoid car crashes when parking or reversing. The systems employ sensors in cameras that alert the driver when the vehicle is getting too close to an object. Some backover protection systems may automatically brake to avoid collisions.
While these new vehicle safety features may help to reduce car crashes, drivers still need to be vigilant about avoiding distracted driving or driving while impaired. If you were injured in a car accident, contact an accident lawyer today.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!