Preventing a car accident is one of the most important steps to take every time you get into a car. The best way to do so used to be to monitor road conditions and avoid distractions. Now, safe driving technology is more readily available than ever. There are numerous types of technologies available that may help prevent accidents from occurring. They work by tapping into the vehicle’s systems to help with steering. Other technologies record accidents, which can later be used to help prove what occurred.
Some of the Safe Driving Technology Out There
Many vehicle manufacturers are investing in safe driving technology. These tools are being put directly into vehicles during their design and manufacturing phases. Others are additions added to them. Here is a look at some of the technology available to prevent a car accident today.
Automatic Emergency Braking Systems
This is one of the most important investments. The system detects high risks for collisions, such as a fast-approaching vehicle, or someone pulling out right in front of you. Its mechanism works to stop the car immediately if it senses an impending crash. Some systems will slow the vehicle down if the driver does not take immediate action or comes to a full stop.
Backup Cameras
It is always difficult to pull out of a parking spot when there are cars on either side of your parked vehicle. It is even worse when backing out onto a fast-moving street. The backup camera helps to provide a better view of what is behind the car as you begin to move, enabling an alert to stop you from hitting another car or object that may be in your blind spot.
Electronic Stability Control
This type of added safe driving technology can help keep a vehicle from sliding out of control. In some situations, this is critical, such as when there is snow on the roadway or when you are faced with slick conditions from excessive rain. It can prove to be very important for those that would otherwise be at risk of being run off the road due to poor braking.
Blind Spot Detection
This type of driver safety feature works by placing sensors on the blind spots on a car or the areas where a driver is unable to see what is present unless they turn their body fully around in the car. This type of safe driving technology constantly monitors for when someone or something is in that spot, sometimes displaying a warning. Other times, if there is a risk of collision, it alerts if you try to move over into that area.
Forward Collision Systems
A forward collision system helps prevent collisions at the front of the car. This may happen, for example, when a driver is distracted or cannot react fast enough to the cars around them. The system monitors for the distance of objects in front of the car and detects risks based on the speed at which the car is moving. It issues a warning and may work to automatically brake the car should the risk of collision be high. This can significantly minimize the risk of an impact.
Lane Departure Warning
A common cause of accidents is swerving from one lane into another. A lane departure warning system offers an alert whenever the vehicle starts to move out of the car’s lane. It does this by picking up on the paint on the roadway. Some technology is designed to recognize lanes on streets well enough that it can help keep a driver on the road and in their lane even when they start to doze off behind the wheel.
Other Types of Top Technology for Vehicles
There are many other types of technology being used in vehicles to provide better prevention of accidents. Some types include:
- Anti-reckless teen driving technology: it works to minimize the risk of reckless driving, such as speeding. It can also track where the vehicle is going and if it is travelling outside of a pre-determined location.
- Voice control: perhaps a critical investment for those who want to use their phones for connectivity, this type of technology helps drivers keep their hands on the wheel while getting directions, answering the phone, or even sending text messages.
- LED headlights: this feature provides a better level of viewing, especially when there are very few lights on a roadway.
- Cameras: these can record road accidents or incidents as they occur, often coming on and starting to shoot footage as soon as there is a likely impending accident.
Preventing Accidents Keeps Rates Lower
Don’t overlook the value of investing in any of the latest auto technologies. If you need help in navigating your options or want more insight into how these technologies may help you with coverage, reach out to us today. We’re here to help you.