Vehicle safety has evolved quite a bit over the years. Car buyers today are privy to a variety of safety features, such as blind-spot detection and lane departure alerts to keep them from drifting. Emerging technology may even use facial-recognition software to prevent drivers from falling asleep behind the wheel.
While they are no substitute for safe driving behaviors, these features may help you avoid an accident.
1. Rearview camera
Rearview mirrors are not always sufficient for seeing clearly behind your vehicle. If a person or object is in your blind spot obstructing your view, you run the risk of becoming involved in a serious accident. You may also back into an object, such as a fence or other vehicle, which would leave you responsible for necessary repairs. Rearview cameras provide a 180-degree view behind the vehicle to allow drivers to check for pedestrians before backing out of a driveway or parking space.
2. Lane departure warnings
Straying into the oncoming lane of traffic is another serious risk. Should drivers fall asleep behind the wheel or have their attention occupied by something other than driving, there is a significant chance of a crash occurring. Lane alert warnings call the driver’s attention via an alarm that goes off whenever the vehicle strays or causes a vibration in the car seat to alert the driver. There is also lane-keep technology, which steers the vehicle away from the center and back into its lane.
3. Automatic emergency braking
Unexpected hazards and stopped vehicles may surprise you on the road. If you are unable to respond in time, you could end up in a front-end crash, which can cause significant injuries to both passengers as well as drivers. Sensors installed in your vehicle detect when you are about to make contact with another driver and apply the brakes in time to prevent the collision from occurring.