Car Safety Technologies

With the entry of new cars in the global market innovation and technologies are also rediscovering the faith of car industry. Many new car safety features have also been introduced in the market.

Today in India the number of road accidents are increasing tremendously. The primary reasons are reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, drowsy driving, and encounters with various road hazards like bumps and potholes. Car buyers are now emphasizing on car safety features to ensure maximum safety for themselves as their families.

Explained below are the best 5 car safety features that have taken safety standards to new heights:

Airbags

Airbags are one of the most significant addition in the list of car safety features. When the first airbags were introduced they were placed only on the steering wheel but now the car manufacturers are placing that at different places to ensure safety of all car passengers. Advancements have introduced various types of airbgas including frontal airbag and side impact airbag,

In case of an accident, airbags take only 45 milliseconds to inflate completely and disperse impact energy. It acts as a barrier between the passenger and the hard surfaces of the car's interior. It is believed that the frontal impact is reduced by about 30% with the airbags fitted on the steering wheel.

Anti-lock Brakes

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) is an innovative car safety technology that prevents skidding. It works in association with crash sensors that automatically release brake pressure to the wheels that are about to lock. It helps reduce loss of traction in case of an emergency and also increases driver's ability to steer the car. With the antilock brakes, the driver can have better control on the steering wheel. Today, in many of the new cars introduced in the Indian car market, ABS are equipped with electronic brakeforce distribution that distributes even force to all four wheels and also improves the functioning of the ABS.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control is an advanced version of the traditional cruise control system that help the driver to maintain the speed of his car. The technologically advanced system read the traffic conditions and modulates the brakes as well the engine power to maintain a safe distance with the vehicle in the front. If in case the driver increases the speed of his car, the adaptive cruise control system by means of throttle and brakes works until a safe gap is restored. The primary functions of the adaptive cruise control system are reducing accident rate and increasing fuel efficiency.

Electronic Stability Control

Electronic stability control (ESC) is a computerized technology that helps improve traction. The system detects and prevents skidding by means of sensors installed in the car. The sensors monitor the steering manoeuvre according to the direction of the car. If there is any kind of discrepancy between the steering input by the driver and the direction of the car, the ESC automatically actuate brakes or reduce engine performance for improved safety.

Active Head Restraints

Active head restrains play an integral role in car safety when the car is struck in an accident from the rear. In such a case the force causes a sudden movement of the occupant's back against the car seat. The active head restrain comprises a pressure plate and a pivot system in the seat back. When there is a sudden movement into the seat back it directly sends a message to the pressure plate and triggers the active head restraint. It is positioned well behind the head of the passenger to cushion the head of the passenger in case of an accident.