In recent years, there has been a growing amount of chatter around autonomous car technology and the future of self-driving vehicles. But what often gets forgotten in these conversations about the technology of tomorrow is the amazing technological innovations available today. Leading the charge, at least on our list of most exciting new automotive technology, are accident sensors and other leading safety assists that work to prevent some of the most common types of car accidents.
Crash Avoidance Automotive Technology
Also known generally as accident sensors, crash avoidance systems are designed to provide drivers with warnings and, in some cases, provide automatic braking (also known as brake assist) to help drivers avoid or mitigate the effects of a collision.
There are a couple different ways in which crash avoidance systems operate. Most utilize a radar and camera system to monitor the road and alert drivers when radar sensors register a slower (or stopped) vehicle or similar object ahead. In the more advanced systems, if the driver fails to act appropriately, the vehicle itself will adjust controls by applying braking pressure or otherwise adjusting cruise speed. Such autonomous emergency braking is key as most accidents are caused by late braking or braking with insufficient force.
Giving the recent surge in news articles about self-driving vehicles, it might surprise many drivers to learn that forward collision avoidance systems were first tested back in 1995. Yet, it was another decade until this automotive technology finally made its way into the consumer market. By 2012, most top-of-the-line makes and models included crash avoidance systems as either part of the vehicle’s standard safety package or as part of an optional upgrade.
In that same year, Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reported, “This technology is working on the road. Institute research finds that automatic braking systems are reducing property damage liability claims by around 14 percent.”
Last March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced a historic commitment by 20 automakers representing over 99% of the U.S. auto market to include automatic emergency braking as standard on all new vehicles by 2022.
Not All Crash Avoidance Systems Are Equal
If you are looking for a new vehicle and are concerned about safety, it is important to note that you have to ask your auto sales representatives whether or not a vehicle has accident sensors. The IIHS rates primary front-crash prevention systems in the following way:
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Basic
– A forward collision warning system without automatic braking
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Advanced
– Warning system + auto-braking that slows the vehicle by at least 5 mph in tests between 12 mph and 25 mph
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Superior
– Warning system + auto-braking that slows the vehicle by 10 mph or more
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