Although the era of fully autonomous cars is still in the future, technology is already playing a significant role in enhancing road safety today. These advancements are particularly crucial considering recent trends. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just revealed its preliminary figures for traffic fatalities in the initial half of 2022. Approximately 20,175 individuals died in motor vehicle accidents during this period, marking a slight uptick of around 0.5% when compared to the 20,070 fatalities projected by the NHTSA for the same timeframe in 2021.
While adhering to fundamental safe driving practices remains paramount—staying alert, following speed limits, avoiding distractions, and adapting to road conditions—modern vehicles offer an extra layer of safety through innovative features recommended by the NHTSA. You may be able to receive discounts for purchasing safer vehicles. Bradford Turner Insurance Group in Cumming, Ga will happily educate you on how your vehicle impacts your car insurance rate.
When considering a new or used vehicle, be sure to search for models equipped with the following features:
- Forward Collision Warning: These sensors detect potential collisions, providing drivers with warnings to take preliminary action.
- Automatic Emergency Braking: Complementing forward collision warning, this feature can automatically apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate a collision.
- Lane-Departure Warning: Utilizing cameras to monitor lane positioning, this system warns drivers if they unintentionally drift from their lane.
- Backup Camera: Standard in many vehicles, these cameras initiate when the car is in reverse, presenting a rear view for safer backing up.
- Electronic Stability Control: Standard in models from 2012 and later, this feature improves control in slippery conditions and during turns, significantly lowering the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes and rollovers.
Additional available features, depending on the vehicle’s make and model, may consist of:
- Automatic Crash Notification: Alerts emergency services in the event of an accident.
- Lane-Keeping Support: Assists in re-centering the vehicle within the lane if drift happens.
- Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking: Warns and automatically applies the brakes when a walker is detected in your path.
- Blind-Spot Detection: Informs when a vehicle occupies your blind spot on either side.
- Adaptive Headlights: Adjusts headlight direction during turns to boost visibility.
Remember, while technology plays an important role, traditional factors like a vehicle’s size, weight, structural integrity, restraint systems, and NHTSA safety rating also drastically impact safety.
