Automotive Safety Innovations For Teenagers & New Drivers

ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control

The most safe vehicles are cars, trucks, or SUVs with the best modern technology. One of the more advanced safety systems offered is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). ACC makes use of state-of-the-art radar sensors to keep your vehicle at a safe range from cars in front of you and your passengers. Here is how the ACC feature works:

• The driver establishes the cruise control max speed.
• The ACC radar system stays at a safe distance from the cars in front of you.
• When detecting an imminent collision, the ACC will use the car’s AEB system (see the next safety option) to slow down or stop the car.

AEB: Automatic Emergency Braking

Distracted driving has become a greater problem today. This is largely due to personal device usage while driving, especially with teen drivers. AEB systems are designed to prevent a collision before it occurs. In the event of an imminent impact, the AEB system will:

• Alert the driver with an audible alarm – some systems utilize vibrating steering wheels and seats, as well.
• Should the driver fail to engage the brake fast enough to avoid a collision, the AEB system will engage the brakes automatically to help avoid or lessen the extent of a forward collision.
• In the event the driver needs additional stopping help, the following safety innovation kicks in.

Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)/Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)

Many more auto manufacturers are adding extra automated brake systems to help drivers in avoiding or drastically reducing the severity of an accident. The addition of a CIB/DBS system helps the driver by:

• Automatically adding brake pressure in the event that the car, truck, or SUV senses the driver’s braking pressure is not enough to stop the car prior to a collision.
• Should the driver fail to apply the brakes at all, the CIB system kicks in to automatically use the brakes to decrease the damage or avoid of an accident.

Adaptive Headlights

With these incredible headlights, dark corners on poorly lit roads are a thing of the past. Linked to the steering system, the head lights turn in the exact same direction the steering wheel is turning in order to brighten the area the car, truck, or SUV is turning into. This feature is particularly helpful in rural areas with minimal or no outside lighting.

Forward Collision Warning

Distracted driving is becoming much less of a problem thanks to this safety feature. Video cameras, radar, and even lasers are masterfully utilized to alert drivers when obstacles in front of them are getting too close to the front of your vehicle. Throw in an automatic emergency braking system and you can rest easy when your new driver gets on the road.

Blind Spot Detection

Speaking of keeping your eyes on the road, that pesky blind spot has finally been eliminated thanks to this safety feature. Lasers and\or cameras keep an eye out in areas on your vehicle that most drivers are notable to. A caution alert ensures you are aware of another car’s proximity before you change lanes.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)/Lane Keeping System (LKS)

Even more excellent news for distracted drivers. Video cameras and lasers are also made use of to watch the lane markings on the typical roadway. When the system detects the car has begun vacating its lane, it will notify the driver with alarms and lights, a vibrating steering wheel, and even a vibrating seat.

Rear-View Camera

This safety tech is frequently confused with back-up cameras; however the difference between these two awesome features is stark. While back-up cameras usually have a restricted line of vision, rear view cameras generally utilize wide-angle lenses to provide the driver a much broader view of what or who is behind them.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

As the name implies, your car, truck, or SUV’s TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in allfour tires and notifies the driver with dashboard lights and even alarms should the tire pressure reach critical levels.

Facial Recognition Software

Finally, we have one of the newest enhancements to our vehicle safety suites. Thanks to advancements in facial recognition technology, vehicles are beginning to add this technology to keep an eye on driver alertness. When calibrated to the driver’s distinct facial features, the software can identify slight alterations in driver attention levels. The software will then notify the driver with alarms and dashboard lights. This being a new safety feature, drivers can expect more advanced informing actions like vibrating steering wheels and seats.