Vehicles are getting smarter every single year, making it easier for them to keep the occupants safe and avoid collisions. When driver error is removed, there will be fewer accidents on the roads, for a fact. Here are the ways in which automobile technology is helping to prevent accidents.
Enhanced Camera Systems
The first way technology has helped make the roads safer is through the creation and advancement of camera systems. Dashboard and backup cameras give a driver a better ability to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycle riders as they drive. A display on the dashboard allows the driver to see everything happening around the car, and this setting can be made automatically, so that, for instance, it turns the back cameras on when the driver shifts to reverse gear. In terms of revenue, the global market for dashboard cameras had a value of $1,458.2 million in 2013. This value was forecast to grow from 2014 to 2020 at a compound annual growth rate of 15.3%. From this, it’s clear to see that this technology has been widely adopted and will continue to be, improving driver’s visibility over time.
Phone Suppression Technology
Another important tech is phone suppression, which helps keep drivers focussed on the road. Different models and options are available, but they generally screen incoming text messages and calls to filter out those deemed unimportant and respond with automated messages to tell the sender or caller that you’re driving. When you install one of these in your car, they will help you avoid the distraction that mobile phones can become whenever you’re driving.
Drunk and Drowsy Driving Prevention Tech
This is another important bit of tech that monitors a driver for signs of drowsiness and inebriation. They include in-vehicle breathalyzers that subdue the car if the blood alcohol content of the driver is found to be above the legal limit of 0.08. With DUI arrests plummeting 42% in the first half of 2020 from 7,220 to 4,223 from the previous year as stated by Breathe Easy Insurance, it’s possible to bring these numbers even lower by embracing tech. You could also install a sensor on the dashboard to monitor the driver’s face for drowsiness, making a noise whenever any are detected.
Lane Departure Warning Technology
It may be difficult under certain conditions or for inexperienced drivers to stay within their lanes, and this is something that can cause accidents in a number of situations. When you have a lane department warning or LDW system in your car, you will be alerted when you start to drift outside of your lane. This technology uses cameras to monitor lane markings so it can detect when you start to drift outside your lane.
Electronic Stability Control
Finally, electronic stability control prevents a vehicle from sliding out of the driver’s control when they oversteer. The technology reduces engine power or applies the brakes in order to bring the vehicle to a stop in order to effectively lower the risk of single-vehicle crashes by half. Sometimes, the issue may not be a result of oversteering, but due to crosswinds. For instance, a 35 MPH crosswind could put an amazing 3,440 pounds of force against the side of a large trailer, according to a study by Knott Laboratory on commercial vehicle towing accidents. This makes it crucial to keep the vehicle stable and steady even in the event of situations beyond the driver’s control.
It’s easy to see the important role that technology has in terms of road safety. As more vehicles embrace such technologies, it will become possible to reduce the number of road accidents to an impressive degree.
