Vehicle Safety Advancements For Teenagers & New Drivers: The Top Ten

ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control

The most safe vehicles are cars with the most innovative technology. Among the most advanced safety systems offered is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). ACC uses state-of-the-art radar sensors that keep your car, truck, or SUV at a risk-free range from cars in front of you and your passengers. Here is how the ACC feature works:

• The driver establishes the cruise control max speed.
• The ACC radar system stays at a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you.
• When detecting an imminent accident, the ACC will utilize the car’s AEB system (see the next safety option) to reduce speed or stop the car.

AEB: Automatic Emergency Braking

Driving while distracted is a prominent concern nowadays. This is primarily due to personal device usage while driving, particularly with teen drivers. AEB systems are designed to prevent a collision before it happens. In the event of an imminent impact, the AEB system will:

• Alert the driver with an audible alarm – some systems will also use vibrating seats and steering wheels, as well.
• Should the driver fail to engage the brake fast enough to prevent an accident, the AEB system will apply the brakes automatically to help avoid or minimize the extent of a forward collision.
• In the event the driver needs further braking assistance, the next safety option kicks in.

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

More car manufacturers are adding additional automatic braking systems to assist drivers in avoiding or greatly decreasing the intensity of an accident. The inclusion of a DBS/CIB system assists the driver by:

• Automatically applying brake pressure in the event that the car senses the driver’s braking pressure is not enough to stop the car before a collision.
• Should the driver fail to use the brakes at all, the CIB system will automatically apply the brakes to prevent or decrease the damages of an accident.

Adaptive Headlights

Dark corners on improperly lit roadways are a thing of the past with these amazing headlights. Connected to the steering system, the headlights turn in the same direction the steering wheel is turning in order to illuminate the area the vehicle is turning into. This innovation is particularly helpful in rural areas with minimal or no exterior lighting.

Forward Collision Warning

Driving while distracted is becoming less of a problem thanks to this safety advancement. Video cameras, radar, and even lasers are masterfully used to alert drivers when obstacles in front of them are getting too near to the front of your car, truck, or SUV. Throw in an automated emergency braking system and you can relax when your new driver gets on the roadway.

Blind Spot Detection

Speaking of keeping your eyes on the road, that pesky blind spot has finally been permanently addressed thanks to this safety feature. Video cameras and\or lasers keep an eye out in areas on your car, truck, or SUV that most drivers are notable to. A caution alert ensures you know about another vehicle’s presence before you change lanes.

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

Even more excellent news for distracted drivers. Lasers and video cameras are also used to watch the lane markings on the average road. When the system detects the vehicle has started moving out of its lane, it will inform the driver with alarms and lights, a vibrating seat, and even a vibrating steering wheel.

Rear-View Camera

This feature is frequently confused with back-up cameras; however the difference between these 2 remarkable innovations is stark. While back-up cameras usually have a limited field of vision, rear view cameras normally make use of wide-angle lenses to provide the driver a much more comprehensive view of what or who is behind them.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

As the name implies, your vehicle’s TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in all4 tires and informs the driver with dashboard lights and even alarms should the tire pressure get to critical levels.

Facial Recognition Software

Finally, we have one of the most recent additions to our vehicle safety suites. Thanks to advancements in facial recognition technology, vehicles are starting to include this tech to monitor driver alertness. Once calibrated to the driver’s distinct features, the software can identify a change in driver attention levels. The software will then alert the driver with alarms and dashboard lights. This being a brand-new innovation, drivers can anticipate advanced informing actions like vibrating steering wheels and seats.