Driver Assistance Technologies Making Driving Safer

“In 2017, 37,133 people died in motor vehicle crashes. Research shows that the vast number of vehicle crashes are tied to human error.”

NHTSA has offered a list of important driver assistance technologies that have increased safety for drivers. 

Automatic Emergency Braking Systems 

Automatic Emergency Braking systems essentially detects the possibility of a collision with another vehicle. The system will alert the driver. If the driver does not take action the system will apply the brakes itself to evert the collision. 

“If the driver brakes, but not hard enough to avoid the crash, DBS automatically supplements the driver’s braking in an effort to avoid the crash. If the driver does not take any action to avoid the crash, CIB automatically applies the vehicle’s brakes to slow or stop the car, avoiding the crash or reducing its severity.”

There is also Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking for when a pedestrian is in front of the vehicle and action is not taken to stop the car. 

Backup Camera

A rearview video system, known as a backup camera, offers an image of behind the vehicle offering a view that the driver won’t get from the drivers seat. 

Forward Collision

“A forward collision warning (FCW) system is an advanced safety technology that monitors a vehicle’s speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it, and the distance between the vehicles. If vehicles get too close due to the speed of the rear vehicle, the FCW system will warn that driver of an impending crash”

Lane Departure

“A lane departure warning (LDW) system is an advanced safety technology that alerts drivers when they unintentionally drift out of their lanes without a turn signal.”

Lane Keeping

“LKS systems use information provided by sensors in a lane departure warning system (LDW) system to determine whether a vehicle is about to move out of its lane of travel. If so, LKS activates by correcting the steering, braking or accelerating one or more of the wheels, or a combination of both, resulting in the vehicle returning to its intended lane of travel.”

Blind Spot Detection

“Blind spot detection (BSD) systems warn drivers with an audio or visual warning if there are vehicles in adjacent lanes that the driver may not see. The alert helps facilitate safe lane changes.”

911 Notification

“An automatic crash notification (ACN) system is an emerging safety technology designed to notify emergency responders that a crash has occurred and provide its location.”