Automotive Safety Advancements For Teenagers & New Drivers: The Top 10

ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control

The safest vehicles are cars, trucks, or SUVs with the very best technology. One of the more advanced safety systems available is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). ACC uses powerful radar sensors to keep your car, truck, or SUV at a risk-free range from vehicles in front of you and your passengers. Here is how this feature works:

• The driver establishes the cruise control maximum speed.
• The ACC radar system keeps pace with the cars you are following.
• When identifying an impending collision, the ACC will use the vehicle’s AEB system (see the next safety feature) to slow down or stop the vehicle.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

Driving while distracted has become a more prominent concern for 21st century drivers. This is largely due to personal device usage while driving, particularly with teen drivers. AEB systems are designed to avoid a collision before it happens. In the event of an imminent accident, the AEB system will:

• Alert the driver with an audible alarm – some systems will also use vibrating steering wheels and seats, as well.
• If the driver does not engage the brake promptly enough to avoid a collision, the AEB system will apply the brakes automatically to help avoid or minimize the severity of a forward collision.
• In case the driver requires additional braking assistance, the following safety innovation steps in.

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

More vehicle makers are adding additional automated brake systems to assist drivers in avoiding or severely reducing the severity of an accident. The inclusion of a DBS/CIB system helps the driver by:

• Automatically applying brake pressure should the vehicle senses the driver’s braking pressure is insufficient to stop the vehicle before a collision.
• In the event that the driver fails to use the brakes at all, the CIB system will automatically apply the brakes to prevent or minimize the damage of a collision.

Adaptive Headlights

Dark corners on poorly lit roadways are a thing of the past with these extraordinary head lights. Linked to the steering system, the headlights 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 safety feature is especially helpful in rural areas with minimal or no exterior illumination.

Forward Collision Warning

Driving while distracted is becoming much less of an issue thanks to this safety innovation. Video cameras, radar, and even lasers are masterfully utilized to inform drivers when vehicles in front of them are getting too near to the front of your vehicle. Toss in an automated emergency braking system and you can relax when your teenage driver is on the roadway.

Blind Spot Detection

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

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

Even more good news for distracted drivers. Video cameras and lasers are also utilized to track the lane markings on the average roadway. When the system senses the car has begun vacating its lane, it will alert the driver with alarms and lights, a vibrating seat, and even a vibrating steering wheel.

Rear-View Camera

This feature is often confused with back-up cameras; but the difference between these two incredible advancements is stark. While back-up cameras typically have a limited field of view, rear view cameras normally use wide-angle lenses to give the driver a much more comprehensive view of who or what is behind them.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

As the name indicates, your car’s TPMS sensors keep track of the air pressure in all4 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 innovations to our vehicle safety suites. Thanks to innovations in face recognition technology, cars, truck, and SUVs are starting to add this technology to monitor driver alertness. When calibrated to the driver’s unique physical attributes, the software can detect slight alterations in driver attention levels. The system will then alert the driver with dashboard lights and alarms. This being a brand-new technology, drivers can anticipate advanced notifying measures like vibrating seats and steering wheels.