Vehicle Safety Technology
Today’s motor vehicles are safer than ever. Safety features in your vehicle may influence how you drive. As a driver it is important that you are aware of what, (if any), safety devices your vehicle has and how they work. Your vehicle’s owner manual or the manufacturer’s website. The following is a list of some of the common vehicle safety devices, and how they may affect your driving:
Airbags work in conjunction with seat belts to protect the driver/passengers in the event of a crash. The airbag inflates automatically upon impact (under the right conditions), to create a cushion that absorbs a high percentage of the impact energy between the driver/passengers and the interior of the vehicle. The airbags start to deflate almost immediately after the crash. Seat belt saves lives. Therefore, it is crucial that all drivers and passengers wear seat belts at all times.
Antilock Braking System (ABS). ABS prevents a vehicle’s wheels from locking under hard braking and slippery conditions, allowing the driver to maintain steering and directional control of the vehicle.
Traction Control. Similar to ABS, this electronically controlled system limits wheel-spin while under acceleration allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle and minimize skids.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC). ESC helps keep the vehicle on its intended path during a turn, to prevent sliding or skidding, by applying the brakes on one or more wheels and /or reducing engine power.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM). TPM monitors the air pressure in the tires and displays an alert when one or more of the tires are not properly inflated.
Lane Departure Warnings. This device alerts the driver when it detects the vehicle is moving out of the vehicle’s lane.
Lane Keeping Assist. This system when it detects the vehicle is straying from its lane will apply some input on the steering wheel to move back into the lane the vehicle was in.
Blind Spot Warning. This system alerts the driver when there is another vehicle alongside the driver’s vehicle.
Forward Collision Warning. This system alerts the driver, (often through a visual as well as an audio alert), of a possible collision with an object directly in the vehicle’s path, to prevent or minimize the collision.
Pedestrian Detection. This system alerts the driver when pedestrians are deemed to be a hazard in conjunction with the brakes of the vehicle to avoid collisions with pedestrians.
Daytime Running Lights. A passive system that switches on the headlights on the vehicle at all times – even during daylight hours.
Rearview Cameras (a.k.a. backup cameras). When the transmission is in reverse, a rear-facing camera transmits live images of what is behind the vehicle to the driver. Most display images on a monitor in the dashboard or rear-view mirror.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. This system when the vehicle is backing alerts the driver when hazards approach the vehicle from the sides.
