| Fuel efficiency isn't the only hot topic when it comes | | | | technology is helpful in enhancing steering and |
| to automotive technology - safety continues to be a | | | | directional control. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) |
| major issue with today's car buyers. That's why | | | | pumps brakes automatically so that the driver can |
| automotive manufacturers are working hard to | | | | concentrate more on the steering. |
| enhance safety for the driver as well as the | | | | Traction Control: Works along the same principle as |
| occupants. | | | | the anti-lock braking system; it detects loss of |
| Major advancements in technology are leading to a | | | | traction during acceleration on icy and slippery |
| wealth of consumer technologies, but in some ways, | | | | surfaces and pulses the wheels to enhance drivability. |
| it's the increasing use of these high-tech products | | | | Crumple Zones: Engineers have designed vehicle |
| that is making safety technology in vehicles more | | | | frames in such a way that during a severe impact |
| necessary than ever. | | | | the vehicle crumples in a predetermined pattern. This |
| It's a good news bad news scenario. | | | | allows the frame to absorb some of the collision |
| The good news - more collision avoidance systems | | | | energy by displacing the crash impact and diverting |
| and other advanced safety systems that help collision | | | | some of it from the passenger compartment. |
| avoidance are being developed to help keep drivers | | | | Crash Resistant Door Pillars: Similar in theory to |
| heading in the right direction. | | | | crumple zones, this safety innovation is particularly |
| The bad news, according to a U.S. Government | | | | significant in the case of a side collision, deflecting the |
| Accountability Office report, is that from now | | | | force of the side impact away from the head area |
| through 2015, more complex devices will be | | | | and toward the legs. |
| developed for use in cars that could increase driver | | | | Head Restraints: One of the less talked about but |
| distraction. The advanced and rapid evolution of | | | | important safety features, head restraints limit head |
| complex products includes new applications and | | | | movement during rear impact crashes significantly |
| detailed screens in portable devices such as cell | | | | reducing the possibility of neck injury. These are |
| phones with text messaging and more advanced | | | | present in the front seats and may also be found in |
| features, as well as MP3 players. Also of concern is | | | | the back seats. |
| the fact that teens are the most likely group behind | | | | Airbags: The argument can be made that no other |
| the wheel to be affected by these distractions. This | | | | safety feature has saved more lives in head-on |
| makes sense since younger drivers tend to be the | | | | collisions than the airbag. In the case of a front |
| earliest adopters of new devices and that the | | | | impact collision, an air cushion deployed in a split |
| combination of driving distractions and lack of fully | | | | second helps to provide protection to front |
| developed driving skills suggests significant risks for | | | | occupants. Airbags have evolved since their |
| this group. | | | | introduction and are now being fitted in doors and |
| Thank goodness automotive safety engineers have | | | | rear seatbacks to protect the driver and passengers |
| been busy. There is an impressive array of safety | | | | from side impacts as well. |
| innovations and advancements that can be found in | | | | Safety engineers are continuing to push the envelope |
| most of the new vehicles in today's dealerships and | | | | with innovative safety systems. The focus on |
| an even more impressive lineup of technological | | | | passive safety has shifted to active safety more |
| innovations that will be available in the near future to | | | | recently. Research and development of various radar |
| assist and help refocus distracted drivers. Most cars | | | | and vision systems is taking safety to very |
| on the road today already feature safety innovations | | | | impressive levels and includes: |
| such as: | | | | Back-up Sensing System: This advancement in vehicle |
| Anti-lock Braking Systems: Help reduce the chance of | | | | safety and security produces a warning signal when a |
| skidding by pulsing the brakes to prevent the wheels | | | | person, pet or an object like a car, motorcycle or |
| from locking up, particularly on wet or slippery roads, | | | | grocery cart is detected behind the equipped vehicle. |
| or during a panic stop. This advancement in brake | | | | Sensors are typically located in the rear bumper. |