How Technology Plays A Role In Vehicle Safety

Technology has played an increasing role in our lives, for better or for worse. This theme continues in the driver’s seat as it continues to influence vehicle design and safety. With the advent of advanced safety features and autonomous driving on the horizon, the role of technology in vehicle safety has never been more important.

However, there are some drawbacks to the ever-increasing presence of technology in cars: distracted driving and over-reliance on safety features. Here’s an exploration of some of the pros and cons of in-vehicle technology for safety, and the potential for future developments to improve vehicle safety.

Safety benefits of technology

Advanced security features

The greatest improvements in vehicle safety can be attributed to advanced safety features. Numerous studies have shown that vehicles equipped with the latest collision avoidance technology are much less likely to be involved in an accident. These are the most notable implementations:

Autonomous emergency braking

This system identifies when a forward collision is imminent and reacts by automatically applying the brakes to reduce the speed of the collision or completely avoid a collision.

Automatic rear braking

Like the system above, the vehicle monitors rear crossing traffic and applies the brakes to avoid a collision.

Lane Departure Assist

When the system detects that the vehicle is drifting out of lane, it provides steering input to maintain a position within the lines. Side swipes and head-on collisions are significantly reduced.

IIHS data shows the best, advanced safety technology drastically reduces accidents and prevents injuries across the board.

Improved visibility

To meet the strict crash safety standards, cars have gradually become larger. As vehicles grew larger to accommodate a stiffer structure, blind spots also became more pronounced. Technology fills these gaps in vision through blind spot monitoring systems, reversing cameras and parking sensors. Drivers no longer have to compromise safety with visibility.

Advanced Driver Assist features

Driver Assistance technologies work by minimizing the possibility of human error. Once reserved for luxury cars and top trims, these technologies are now finding their way as a standard feature on many new vehicles.

Adaptive cruise control

The car automatically accelerates and slows down to maintain a preset distance from the car in front.

Assistance in centering the roadway

Unlike Lane Departure Assist, continuous steering input keeps the vehicle centered in its lane.

Highway pilot

A vehicle equipped with a highway pilot maintains its lane position and follows a preset headway distance relative to the vehicle in front. It is often confused with fully autonomous self-driving, which is not yet available to consumers.

Fatigue Detection

Driver Monitoring Systems detect when a driver is drowsy or distracted and alert them to refocus on the road or stop for a break.

Connectivity features

According to lawyers for Kam, Ebersbach & Lewis, mobile phone use, including texting, calling and GPS, is a leading cause of accidents while driving. To encourage hands-free use, many manufacturers equip their cars with multimedia systems that fully integrate the driver’s phones through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Safety disadvantages of technology in vehicles

Lack of standardization

Each automaker has its own implementation of advanced safety technology and while they work to achieve the same goals, they work slightly differently. This lack of standardization can lead to confusion and increase the risk of an accident. For example, Honda calls their autonomous emergency braking system a “Collision Mitigation Braking System –CMBSwhile Ford calls theirs “Active City Stop.”

Honda’s CMBS claims to work at speeds above 10 mph and Ford’s only works at speeds up to 30 mph. The average consumer is likely not aware of the performance differences of each system, which can lead to confusion about their car’s capabilities. Someone can buy a Ford that brakes autonomously at highway speeds when their car is not equipped to do so.

Standardizing vehicle safety technology would help drivers understand exactly what features and limitations their car may have. This kind of industry-wide consensus can only be achieved through collaboration with manufacturers or government-mandated standardization. As it stands, there is no pressure to do this.

Excessive reliance on technology

Drivers can become complacent if they rely too much on technology to keep them safe. There have been numerous reports of drivers being involved in accidents while their cars were on highway pilot. As mentioned earlier, many drivers overestimate the capabilities of their vehicle’s driver assistance technology, especially when advertised with terms such as “autopilot.” The reality is drivers need to stay fully engaged when behind the wheel. It is imperative to be ready to identify a hazard and perform an emergency maneuver no matter what technology their car is equipped with.

Distracting technology

While it’s useful to have connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, some drivers may still find it hard to resist the urge to check their phones. The purpose of these hands-free services is to avoid distractions while driving, but it may inadvertently encourage this by making it so accessible.

According to a study by TRL in the UK, the reaction times of motorists driving at motorway speeds increased the average stopping distance by between 4 and 5 car lengths among those using infotainment systems, even when controlling them with their voice. When operating infotainment via touch, response times are worse than when texting while driving.

Technology in vehicles, for better and for worse

Technology has had a huge impact on vehicle safety in the form of advanced safety features, improved visibility and driver aids. All in all, this technology has contributed to a safer driving experience for everyone on the road. However, there are some potential downsides to the growing amount of technology in cars, including the risk of over-reliance on these features and the distraction they create.

As time goes by, advancements in safety technology will continue to make our roads safer with fewer compromises. By striving for standardized safety features and educating drivers on the safe use of technology, we can do our part to reduce the number of accidents on the road.