We all know that driving can sometimes be a perilous activity. However safe a driver you are there is always the threat of the “other driver”, those who pay scant attention to the laws of the road and drive with no regard for your or their own safety. Such drivers will always exist.
Due to technological advances however modern cars provide a fairly safe environment to be in. These advances made by car manufactures help ensure that in the event of a crash you and your passengers will have maximum protection. If you are thinking of purchasing a new or used car the key technologies to look out for are:
Anti-lock brakes (ABS). With ABS when you press the brake pedal hard ABS technology kicks in and automatically stops the wheels locking up. This permits you the ability to brake and steer the car simultaneously which provides you a much greater degree of control and will help prevent the car going into an uncontrollable skid. ABS works by activating the brakes on and off many times a second. Normal drum brakes can not do this which is why, in the event of an emergency stop if you car has drum brakes you should pump the brakes on and off yourself.
Air bags. In the split second after a collision is detected an air bag will inflate and act as cushion for your body. Initially designed to protect the drivers face from hitting the steering wheel air bags can now be fitted to protect all car occupants. Front air bags are routinely fitted as standard these days. For even more safety look out for side and rear passenger air bags.
Traction control. This is basically a piece of software that constantly assesses the amount of grip the car tyres have with the road. When it detects grip is being lost it acts to stabilize traction. Different systems work in different ways but as a rule traction control works by sending power to the wheels which have adequate grip or braking wheels that do not. Different car manufactures call traction control names i.e. EPS or TCS
Active head restraints. All head restraints are designed to reduce the effects of whiplash when a car is involved in a collision, specifically a rear end shunt. Active head restraints are more effective the normal head restraints because when they detect a collision they will automatically move towards your head as thus provide crucial support more quickly and for longer.
Crumble zones. These are energy absorbing zones which surround the cabin. In the event of a crash the absorb the energy and crumble. This protects the people in the cabin.
Euro NCAP star rating. NCAP having been independently testing most new European released cars since 1997. The tests they put cars through are designed to realistically assess the safety performance of the car. Tested cars are awarded between one and five stars. It is wise to buy a car that has at least four stars.
These technologies have been designed to aide driver and passenger safety. Cars are heavy and travel at considerable speeds. Given this no technology can keep driver or passenger completely safe. This is why it is always wise to drive in a mature and responsible manner whilst always abiding be the laws of the road.
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