For those of you interested in the car industry, we have some great news. The days of airbags, seatbelts and antilock as your only safety precautions are over. Did you ever wish your car could react on its own in a risky situation? With the new and upcoming features, we are already on the path towards it.
The biggest threat to our safety is road accidents. A report on the number of deaths in Australia from 1989 to 2018 suggests that among the people who died from accidents 21,800 were drivers, 11,876 were passengers, and 7,665 were pedestrians. With the increase in the number of vehicles on the road, the importance of safety features is climbing. Thus, companies like Mitsubishi are spending their time on designs and features for Mitsubishi cars that can lead to a safer road for you.
Before buying your new car, it is worthwhile checking if your vehicle has these safety features.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
An adaptive cruise control system can make your breaking and accelerating system automated. Sensors and radars are fitted in the front side of the car which help in detecting surrounding traffic.
If the data collected senses that there might be a collision, then it will automatically apply the break and simultaneously tighten your seatbelts. Best for long highway rides and congested traffic, ACC systems are the costliest, starting at over $1000.
Automated Emergency Braking (AEB)
In Australia, from 1,300 people that die from accident every year, 90% of the mishaps are the result of human error. The feature that has proved to be the most valuable in safeguarding human life is AEB.
In crises, the emergency breaking acts faster than human reaction which helps to save lives. Australia’s crash safety body is trying to have AEB system integrated within all new cars. Thanks to AEB the number of rear-end crashes has been reduced by 38% in recent times.
180 Degree Rear Camera
The horrible truth is every year more than 60 children below ten die from being hit by vehicles going backward. The main factor leading to such a high number is limited rear visibility in many cars.
Rear view cameras are not mandatory in Australia, but many believe that they should be, just like in the United States. Your back cameras will aid you by providing visibility and save children and animals from being accidentally hit when going in reverse.
Warning When Departing Your Lane
Special sensors can detect the white lines along the lanes. If you are unintentionally leaving your path, then this system will send out a buzz to alert you. If you did not use the indicator when changing lanes, the system then determines it as accidental.
Blind Spot Monitor
When driving, you continuously have to monitor your rear and side mirrors to monitor if anybody or vehicle is coming from your back or blind spot. The blind spot monitor feature alerts you with small orange or yellow lights when there is a vehicle approaching from the rear. These lights are placed on the door mirrors, so just a little glance can aware you of an oncoming car.
Adaptive Headlight
For those of you who drive late at night, this feature can be a lifesaver. Your standard headlights aim straight, and during turns, focus is on the roadside. With Adaptive Headlights, even during your turn, the headlights adjust themselves to light up the street. Also, another serious problem that night drivers face is lack of visibility due to the glare coming from the other car. Adaptive sensors focus the beam on the road which eliminates this problem.
Electronic sensors are used to detect the speed and the turning angle of the steering wheel. The maximum angle range for movement is usually 30 degrees.
Fatigue Alert
There are always going to be days when you feel exhausted and lethargic. The driver fatigue alert system keeps track of steering movement and detects if an individual behind the wheel is feeling drowsy. If data indicates that you are sleepy, then you will be alerted instantly.
Rapid technological advancement has opened up a gateway for modern safety features to be incorporated into the cars. Make the right choice and select a car that has all the necessary safety features.
Image Credit:
Featured image Arnold Clark
Adaptive Cruise Control Cranky Driver