New Technologies Taking Car Safety to the Next Level

Updated October 6, 2023
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Standard vehicle safety features now include front airbags, electronic stability control, and LATCH child safety seat systems but leading manufacturers are going much further in the attempt to reduce the risk of vehicle crashes and injuries. Most cars released from 2019 onwards, for instance, have features such as lane departure warnings and backup cameras for use during parking and reversing. However, leading brands are offering extra features that are aimed at many of the biggest risks for accidents. Read on to discover the safety tech to watch out for if you are buying a new car.

Modern Technology in Cars

Anti-Drunk Driving Tech

Talk to an experienced car accident attorney and chances are, they will tell you that many of their cases involved DUIs. Every day, around 28 people in the US die owing to drunk-driving crashes. This number has declined over the years but over 10,000 people still die yearly because of actions that are totally preventable. In November 2021, the US House passed an infrastructure bill that makes it obligatory for all new passenger vehicles to be equipped with anti-drinking and driving tech. This tech is expected to “practically eliminate drink driving fatalities” and it involves one or more of three different systems: driver-performance monitoring, driving monitoring, or alcohol detection. When a drunk driver gets in the car, it either won’t start or will pull itself to the side of the road if drunkenness is detected.

Facial Recognition Software

Falling asleep at the wheel is another big issue, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimating that in a given year, drowsy driving has caused around 91,000 crashes. Facial recognition software detects signs that a driver is falling asleep, by monitoring the driver’s retina and eyelids for signs of fatigue. Within seconds, the system alerts the driver with loud audio notifications, waking them up so they can pull over to rest.

Adaptive Headlights

Poor visibility and driving at night are two big accidents risks. Adaptive headlights are a vital way to reduce your risk in two major ways. The first is that the headlights are linked to the steering system, so they turn in the same direction your car is. Therefore, the road directly in front of you is always illuminated. Secondly, adaptive headlights can shine brightly when nobody is driving towards you in the opposite direction, but lower their brightness automatically when other vehicles are detected ahead.

Center Airbags

Cars usually contain airbags that are located in front of drivers and passengers but if the vehicle is hit from one side, the driver and passengers’ heads can collide, resulting in a concussion or worse. Center airbags offer cushioning between these two individuals, significantly reducing the chance of neck injuries and spine twists. Just a few brands embracing this technology are Toyota, Maza, and KIA.

Air Cleansing Tech

In this day and age, improving our indoor quality is key but top marques such as Jaguar are taking it to the next level with high-level air purification tech for cars. Some models are being fitted with a special HVAC system that inhibits viruses and bacteria in the vehicle by 97%. This certainly makes for a safer and more secure drive in pandemic and post-pandemic times.

Many of the biggest causes of car crashes—such as DUIs and lack of sleep—can be avoided. As the world moves towards greater autonomy of vehicles, there are many manufacturers bridging the gap with technology that can help reduce human errors until driverless cars become a reality. Just a few technological features to watch out for include DUI detectors, facial recognition systems, adaptive headlights, central airbags, and air cleaning tech that purifies your car’s interiors.

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