Automotive Safety Features For Teens & New Drivers: The Top 10

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

The safest vehicles are cars with the most advanced modern technology. One of the most advanced safety systems offered is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). ACC utilizes state-of-the-art radar sensors to keep your vehicle at a safe distance from vehicles in front of you and your loved ones. Here’s how the ACC feature works:

• The driver sets the cruise control maximum speed.
• The ACC radar system keeps pace with the cars in front of you.
• When sensing an impending collision, the ACC will use the car’s AEB system (see the next safety innovation) to reduce speed or stop the vehicle.

AEB: Automatic Emergency Braking

Driving while distracted has become a bigger problem for 21st century drivers. This is mostly due to personal device use while driving, especially with teen drivers. AEB systems are specifically designed to avoid an accident before it occurs. In the event of an unavoidable collision, the AEB system will:

• Alert the driver with an audible alarm – some systems will also use vibrating steering wheels and seats, as well.
• If the driver doesn’t engage the brake promptly enough to avoid an accident, the AEB system will engage the brakes automatically to help prevent or lessen the seriousness of a forward collision.
• In case the driver needs further braking assistance, the next safety feature steps in.

Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)/Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)

More car and truck makers are adding additional automatic braking systems to assist drivers in preventing or drastically minimizing the seriousness of a collision. The inclusion of a CIB/DBS system assists the driver by:

• Automatically applying brake pressure should the car, truck, or SUV senses the driver’s braking pressure is not enough to stop the vehicle before an accident.
• In the event that the driver fails to use the brakes at all, the CIB system will automatically use the brakes to reduce the damage or prevent of an accident.

Adaptive Headlights

Dark corners on badly lit roads are a distant memory with these incredible head lights. Linked to the steering system, the head lights turn in the exact same direction the steering wheel is turning in order to brighten the area the car is turning into. This safety feature is incredibly helpful in rural areas with limited or no exterior lighting.

Forward Collision Warning

Thanks to this safety innovation, driving while distracted is becoming much less of a problem. Cameras, radar, and even lasers are masterfully utilized to inform drivers when objects in front of them are getting too close to the front of your vehicle. Toss in an automated emergency braking system and you can relax when your teenage driver gets on the road.

Blind Spot Detection

Speaking of keeping your eyes on the road, that aggravating blind spot has finally been removed thanks to this safety feature. Lasers and\or video cameras keep an eye out in areas on your car, truck, or SUV that most drivers are notable to. A warning alert make certain you know about another car’s proximity before you move into their lane.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)/Lane Keeping System (LKS)

Even more good news for distracted drivers. Cameras and lasers are also used to watch the lane markings on the average street. When the system senses the vehicle has started moving out of its lane, it will inform the driver with lights and alarms, a vibrating steering wheel, and even a vibrating seat.

Rear-View Camera

This feature is often confused with back-up cameras; however the difference between these two amazing features is stark. While back-up cameras often have a restricted field of vision, rear view cameras usually utilize wide-angle lenses to offer the driver a much more comprehensive view of what or who is behind them.

TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System

As the name implies, your vehicle’s TPMS sensors keep track of the air pressure in allfour tires and notifies the driver with dashboard lights and even an alarm if the tire pressure reach critical levels.

Facial Recognition Software

Finally, we have one of the newest advancements to our automotive safety suites. Thanks to improvements in face recognition technology, cars are beginning to add this tech to keep track of driver alertness. When calibrated to the driver’s unique features, the software can identify a change in driver attention levels. The software will then inform the driver with dashboard lights and alarms. This being a brand-new technology, drivers can anticipate advanced notifying measures like vibrating steering wheels and seats.