Most modern automobiles come equipped with a set of standard safety features that can be broadly categorized into two groups: passive and active safety systems.
Passive Safety Features
These features are designed to minimize injury in the event of a collision and come into play after a crash occurs. Some of the common ones include:
Airbags: Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) airbags deploy rapidly during a crash to cushion occupants and absorb impact force. Modern cars may have multiple airbags including frontal, side-impact, knee, and even curtain airbags that deploy along the windows.
Seatbelts: The first line of defense in a crash, seatbelts keep occupants restrained and prevent them from being thrown from the vehicle. Modern seatbelts often incorporate pretensioners that tighten automatically during a collision and energy-absorbing materials to reduce stress on the body.
** Crumple Zones:** These are designed to deform and absorb impact energy in a controlled manner during a collision, protecting the occupants in the high-integrity safety cage of the passenger compartment.
Active Safety Features
These features use technology to help prevent accidents from happening in the first place. They employ a network of sensors, cameras, and computers to monitor the driving environment and intervene when necessary. Here are some widely available active safety features:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): ABS prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control and avoid skidding.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps maintain vehicle stability by detecting and correcting skids and loss of traction.
Traction Control System (TCS): TCS prevents wheelspin during acceleration on slippery surfaces, ensuring better grip and control.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Alerts the driver to underinflated tires, which can affect handling and increase the risk of accidents.
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs): These lights improve the car's visibility to other drivers during the day.
In addition to these standard features, many modern cars offer advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as optional extras or on higher trims. These can include:
Forward Collision Warning (FCW): Warns the driver of an imminent collision with a vehicle ahead.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Can automatically apply brakes to avoid a collision or mitigate its impact.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Alerts the driver if the car starts to drift out of its lane unintentionally.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): Warns the driver if there is a vehicle in the driver's blind spot.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA): Warns the driver of approaching vehicles when reversing out of a parking spot.
These are just some of the many safety features available in modern cars. As technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more advanced safety systems that will further improve road safety for drivers and passengers.