When purchasing a vehicle, it is crucial that you consider which car safety features can help keep you secure on the road. Such features could include airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control and adaptive cruise control – among others.
These safety features may not be cutting-edge, but they have been scientifically proven to reduce crashes by 3.5%. Furthermore, these features reduce your risk of injury and property damage in an accident situation.
Antilock Braking System
ABS (Antilock Braking System) technology protects vehicles by preventing their wheels from locking up during emergency braking, a dangerous condition which could result in accidents.
An antilock brake system utilizes sensors in your car that report when one or more wheels stop rotating. Once this occurs, sensors notify a computer (known as the controller) which directs a hydraulic valve to release pressure from your brakes so they can start spinning once more.
If this process is malfunctioning, your dashboard’s ABS light may illuminate – this self-test is often an indicator that your computer cannot receive sufficient data or that certain pumps or valves have stopped responding appropriately.
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps keep you on course when the weather or road surfaces become slippery, helping keep your car on course during any eventuality. Now standard on all new vehicle sales in Canada starting with model year 2012, this feature should help keep you safe on slippery surfaces.
Monitors your steering wheel angle and rotation around the vertical axis to make sure that it matches up with your intended direction. If ESC detects that you are heading in an unexpected direction, it will intervene immediately and brake your vehicle to correct it.
Technology also assists drivers during sudden braking or steering maneuvers that may result in skidding or other types of traction loss, helping you maintain control and reduce both vehicle damage and the risk of an accident.
Lane Departure Warning
Lane departure warning systems can alert drivers if they begin drifting outside their lane, potentially saving lives if used properly. They’re available in numerous vehicles and should be used properly if you understand their inner workings.
Camera-equipped rear view mirrors use a camera to detect road markings in front of your vehicle and if any deviance from lane boundaries occurs, an audible or visual alert will be given.
Lane Keep Assist systems may even assist in steering you back onto your lane by either applying brakes to the front or steering the vehicle in its center lane.
Lane Keep Assist
Lane keep assist, also known as lane departure warning, helps keep drivers within their lanes on highways and roadways. It uses visual markers and cameras to monitor road markings and detect any signs that you have wandered outside your designated lane.
When the system detects you are about to cross into another lane without signaling, it issues a warning and gives brief steering nudges or brake adjustments as necessary to help keep you within your own lane.
LKA is one of many driver assist systems available as either an option or standard feature in your new Honda vehicle, providing important protection if used correctly by both you and your family.
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is a safety feature that uses radar, lasers or cameras to detect vehicles or objects ahead of your car, including people, cyclists or animals in its path.
Warning signals such as lights, buzzers or vibrations of your seat can alert you of an impending collision. Some systems even tighten seat belts and pre-charge brakes so it becomes easier to avoid crashes.
Forward collision warning systems can reduce crashes significantly if used properly; according to estimates by the American Automobile Association, approximately 40% of drivers with such technology do not understand how best to use it when it activates.
Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian detection uses cameras, radar or lidar systems to notify drivers when pedestrians are present in their path and engage the brakes accordingly to avoid or reduce collision severity. If no response is forthcoming from drivers when alerted by these technologies, then these systems engage brakes automatically in order to avoid an incident and/or reduce its severity.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that this technology could save 810 lives annually if all U.S. cars were equipped with it.
While technology may help drivers be aware of their surroundings, and pedestrian accidents remain on the rise. Therefore, it’s essential that drivers pay close attention when driving and manage speed appropriately.