By including these components in your vehicle, your drive is made safer.
No matter how good a driver you think you are, you can always use some added safety feature; after all, life — be it ours or that of loved ones — is precious. Fortunately, cars today are a lot safer than they were five years ago, thanks to a host of advanced safety systems.
Whether it’s sounding alerts to warn drivers of potential collision danger or automatically stepping in when drivers fail to do so, these innovative features play a vital role in reducing crashes and saving lives.
So if you’re in the market for a new car, make sure that at least some of these safety features are part of the package.
Airbags cushion driver and passengers in the event of a crash. Some airbags in modern cars can even detect the weight and position of the driver and front passenger to further reduce the risk of injury. Some cars have the option of switching off the air bags, something you can do if you decide to place your child in the front seat. Do note that airbags deploy at rapid speeds, and it is dangerous to young kids aged below 13 years or weighing under 30kg.
Adaptive Headlights illuminate the road as needed with the help of sensors that monitor the direction and elevation of the car. It helps improve night vision, reduces glare for on-coming traffic, and makes you more visible to other drivers.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Electronic Stability Program (ESP) became a mandatory requirement for new cars in countries such as the US, EU as well as Japan. ESC uses computerised sensors to prevent sliding or skidding. These sensors detect wheel speed, sideways motion, steering angle, and rotation. So if the car moves out of the driver’s intended path, the system kicks in by applying brakes to one or more of the wheels to help the driver regain control and stability.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) scans the road ahead and warns the driver of an impending collision. It is designed to warn you if you’re about to crash into a slower-moving or stopped car. Some FCW systems come with features that can detect other objects, but check your owner’s manual to make sure you understand how yours works.
Like FCW, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) detects potential collisions while travelling forward. However, it also steps in automatically to apply the brakes if the driver fails to do so. This could be a lifesaver as it helps avoid or reduce the severity of the impact.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) detects vehicles on either side of the car to determine if a car is in your blind spot. If there is a vehicle present, the driver will be alerted. Some advanced BSW systems alert drivers to other vehicles moving into their blind spot before they get there. The best ones gently take over the steering to provide a second warning to help avert a potential collision.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) helps your vehicle keep to its position within the driving lane and sounds an alert if it approaches or crosses the lane marker on either side. This is helpful for sleepy or distracted drivers. Some drivers find the audio alert annoying and may prefer a vibration alert as it jolts them into action. If your car has these two options, make sure to turn on your preferred choice.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System detects when the pressure in your tyres is below the recommended pounds-per-square-inch (PSI). Studies have shown that when a car’s tyres are underinflated, more of the rubber meets the road, resulting in higher rolling resistance, which in turn leads to higher fuel consumption. On top of that, the vehicle’s performance suffers and the driver may lose control of the vehicle.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) controls acceleration and/or braking to maintain a prescribed distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. It can help to reduce some of the stress of driving on the expressways and help prevent tailgating.
