We’ve come a long way since the Model T began to hit the streets of Detroit, and in between the production of the first car in 1908 to the mass production of modern vehicles today, there have been significant improvements introduced to the automotive industry that are meant to make driving safer for everyone. Going back to the eventful day in the early 1900s, safety wasn’t necessarily a priority, what with the Model T only being able to travel up to 40 miles-per-hour and the small number of vehicles on the road. As more and more people began driving and an influx of motor vehicles began to hit the roads, it became apparent that safety devices like turn signals and seatbelts were a must.
So, are cars today safer than ever? Well, aside from seatbelts, windshield wipers and blinkers, modern vehicles are being built with various other features meant to make them the safest possible. A car accident lawyer will agree that these are some of the best safety features being implemented today.
Lane Departure Warning Systems
Lane departure helps to prevent accidents that occur due to lane drifting, which can be especially fatal when traveling at high speeds. Most modern vehicles have implemented a system that will alert drivers if they are drifting into another lane by using both sound and vibrations. Another version of this system, Lane Keep Assistance Systems (LKAS), even go as far as to adjust your steering wheel and put the car back into the proper lane on its own.
While these systems are meant to aid you in staying safe on the road, a car accident lawyer will warn you that systems do fail, and it’s always important to make sure you don’t fully put your trust into these systems. Drive carefully and stay aware — these systems are supposed to be meant as a backup in case you fail first.
Fatigue Warning Systems
Another feature that is making cars safer is the implementation of fatigue warning systems. These systems monitor a driver’s blink rate and duration. When the system begins to detect that the driver’s blinks are getting slower and longer, the system will use audio alerts to let them know that they should pull over and rest. This system also oftentimes works hand-in-hand with LKAS systems to prevent lane drifting.
Forward Collision Warning Systems
Car manufacturers are also manufacturing vehicles that come equipped with cameras, radars and lasers that scan the road in front of you, working to prevent collisions with any hazards. Systems today are so advanced that they invoke autonomous or auto-breaking, perfect for preventing rear-end-collisions. Even with this technology, our car accident lawyers still see plenty of these accidents in Teslas and other advanced cars. Car accident lawyers everywhere to still be cautious as you drive these vehicles.
Adaptive Headlights
Traditional headlights only beam straight ahead, which can be dangerous to other drivers when driving through curves in places like canyons. Adaptive headlights operate based on speed and direction, and they adjust the beam of light as much as 15 degrees in either direction. The headlights can pivot as the car goes around a curve, allowing drivers a better view of what they are turning into and reducing glare for other oncoming drivers.
As you can see, cars today are the safest they’ve ever been, and they are without a doubt getting safer. That being said, accidents still happen, and just because someone is taking the necessary precautions to stay safe on the road, that doesn’t mean others are doing the same. IF you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, make sure to contact a car accident lawyer here at Robert J. DeBry and Associates.