Automotive

Vehicle Safety Ratings Increase, but are Drivers Actually Safer?

Since the 19th century when the first car was invented, there has been a dramatic increase in the physical improvement and the technical development of vehicles to ensure the safety of drivers. The demand for new and safer cars has been increasing year after year. Many manufacturers are now using additional systems and features to keep their customers happy and out of harm’s way. The Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are a series of complex systems designed to help the driver when it comes down to safety measures. ADAS aims to provide vital information such as blind spot detection, road sign recognition, collision warnings, and more while on the road.

Why Are ADAS Important?

It is important to remain safe and protected from danger while on the road. Distracted driving, reckless driving, and driving under the influence are a few of the leading causes of crashes. A life can be taken away due to forgetting to do a simple task such as checking your blind spot, following road signs, and avoiding all distractions to prevent any possible collisions. According to research by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, ADAS vehicles showed a 27% reduction in bodily injury claim frequency and a 19% reduction in property damage frequency.

Blind Spot Monitoring

Anytime you want to change lanes and aren’t able to see if a car is present, it is best to check your blind spot. According to The National Highway and Safety Administration, almost 840,000 accidents occur in the United States each year that involve a driver’s neglect of the blind spot. Blind spots are extremely important and must be detected. Nowadays, there are vehicles that have blind spot detection systems as a feature. With blind spot monitoring, cars will be able to alert drivers visually and/or audibly when another car is located. This feature can minimize anyone’s chances of getting involved in a car collision. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there was a 14% lower crash rate for vehicles with blind-spot monitoring than the same models without the system.

Road Sign Recognition

Signs on the road are visibly placed in bright colors so drivers, and now cars, can easily detect and follow them. Traffic sign recognition helps drivers accurately follow the rules of the sign by using an image processing feature. There are front cameras on cars that capture pictures of detectable signs. After the picture is captured and scanned, an algorithm is created to recognize the road signs.

Collision Warning Systems

The collision warning system detects and calculates the distance between your vehicle and another driver. This system will alert you in case of any possible collisions. This feature can also slow down the speed of your car when it detects a figure ahead. Cars with this feature will create a sudden alarm and automatically apply the brakes when it senses any type of risks.

Is A Car With An Advanced Safety System Necessary?

There are several cars that lack the Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), however most of the new car models include a few of these systems, if not all. If you want to change your driving experience or become more safe while driving, then ADAS may be a great investment. There are opportunities at car dealerships where you can test a car and try out the features. If you’re on a budget or are not currently trying to buy a new car, there are options to get a few of these systems placed in your current car. For less money, drivers can add new safety technology such as blind spot detection, collision warning, or road sign recognition to older cars.

“Driving a car with an Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) is a great way to help keep yourself safe when on the roads, but it is not foolproof, says Attorney Steve Rastin of Rastin Law Trial Lawyers. “Even with the advancement of technology in our vehicles, drivers are still held responsible in the event of an accident, which means the driver should do their best to maintain their vehicle and stay attentive while driving.”

Can I Solely Rely On My Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems?

The Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are automated emergency systems in a car. While these systems can be beneficial, they can easily malfunction or operate incorrectly. Even if you have these features, it is advisable to remain cautious and not rely solely on a machine. These systems can be seen as a threat since ADAS can overtake and perform simple tasks better than some humans. To avoid any difficulty or malfunction in your ADAS, it is best to frequently visit the repair shop to have the car checked out and keep the sensor/camera field of vision clear to avoid any problems. ADAS is a remarkable invention to equip vehicles to reduce car accidents for when the inevitable happens, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t come without limitations.

If you have any questions, please ask below!