In an ideal world, every motorist would have mastered emergency driving techniques and would not relax for a second behind the wheel. But let’s be realistic – not everyone can respond to a dangerous situation in time and cope with vehicle control. Here come the safety systems.
The experts from the leading Indianapolis used car dealership Indy Auto Man underline the necessity of not underestimating the demands to the car. Here is a quick guide on the car safety features that became must-haves for modern vehicles.
Safety Systems in Modern Cars
Vehicle safety appliences and assistantse help the driver by preventing accidents (active) and reducing the severity of their potential consequences (passive). The safest SUVs and cars have a full set of the following systems and features:
- Anti-lock. It does braking, breaking it into several fragments, preventing complete blocking of the wheels, and stalling the car into the skid. ABS allows the driver to achieve maximum braking efficiency and safety.
- Anti-slip. Prevents slippage of the drive wheels in case of insufficient traction.
Distribution of braking forces. As a rule, it uses the structural elements of the anti-lock braking system. Allows the driver to distribute braking forces between axles and/or wheels, helping to maintain the trajectory of movement, and reduce the likelihood of skidding when braking on uneven road surfaces and in corners.
- Emergency braking assistance. Recognizes emergency braking, as a rule, by the force and speed of pressing the brake pedal. If necessary, the system increases the pressure in the brake system, providing maximum braking efficiency.
- Electronic differential lock. It is based on ABS and activated when one of the wheels of the drive axle slips, slowing it down and providing an increase in torque on it.
- Dynamic stabilization. It includes the previously listed systems and performs the stabilization of movement in case of risk or loss of control.
Driving Assistance
Modern cars are equipped with various systems designed to facilitate driving in potentially dangerous situations. The most common assistants of this type are:
- Parking assistant helps in parking by beeping when a collision is imminent. The system can be equipped with a rearview camera or surround view cameras that transmit the image on the screen in the cabin.
- Adaptive cruise control. Unlike standard cruise control, the system, using sensors, receives information about the speed of the vehicle in front and the distance to it. This allows the car to change the driving mode without the driver’s participation, depending on the previously specified variables.
- Lane assist system monitors road markings and warns the driver about performing a dangerous maneuver.
Other systems are used for recognizing road signs, monitoring the driver’s condition, and blind spots, and providing assistance when descending a mountain or starting off on an upward slope.
What are Preventive Action Security Systems?
On many cars, some of the listed activities and assisting systems are combined with the help of special software into large-scale technical solutions of the so-called intelligent preventive safety.
Their task is to prevent a collision, prepare the brake system, activate some passive safety systems, as well as automatically change the speed of movement up to a complete stop. Such electronic assistants include Collision Warning with Brake Support from Ford, Collision Warning with Auto Brake and City Safety from Volvo, Front Assist from Volkswagen, etc.
What do Passive Safety Devices and Mechanisms Include?
All modern vehicles are equipped with the following elements in different configurations that protect against injury directly in a collision:
- Airbags (chest, frontal, knee, central);
- Curtain airbags (head airbags);
- Seat belts;
- Child seats or fasteners and belts for them;
- Head restraints (regular or active);
- Safety glasses;
- Safety pedal assembly.
A significant criterion for passive safety is also a particular body structure, which assumes collision energy absorption by crushing the front or rear of the car. In the event of a frontal impact, the motor and other units, components, and mechanisms located in the engine compartment are taken away under the bottom of the car.
This reduces the risk of serious injury to the driver and front passenger. Despite the relatively easily deformable front and rear parts, the interior frame (pillars, roof frame, sills) has high strength and rigidity. This also increases the reliability of the protection of people in the car.
However, it is always important to understand that the main “security system” is an attentive, organized, and responsible driver. So, whatever car you drive, have a rest before a long trip, do not neglect small brakes for a cup of tea or coffee, use hands-free to speak on your mobile, and drive safely.
