Modern cars are becoming increasingly safer thanks to the development of advanced technology. Previously, occupant safety was limited to airbags and seatbelts, but today this has changed dramatically. Modern systems prevent accidents before they can happen, protecting the lives and health of drivers and passengers.
Collision Avoidance Systems
One of the major innovations in safety is the Collision Avoidance System. This technology uses radar, cameras and sensors to detect hazards on the road and analyse the vehicle’s trajectory. According to a Euro NCAP study, the use of such systems can reduce the number of accidents involving cars by 27 per cent. If the system recognises a potential collision, it can warn the driver or even apply emergency braking to avoid an accident. This is especially important in conditions of limited visibility or when the driver is distracted.
According to Professor John Taylor, a leading automotive safety expert, ‘Collision avoidance systems are a crucial step towards reducing accidents. In urban traffic, they avoid many minor collisions and high speed crashes.’
Tracking the driver’s state of mind
Driver fatigue or loss of attention is one of the leading causes of crashes. According to the American Association of Automotive Engineers, approximately 20 per cent of crashes are caused by driver fatigue. To combat this, modern cars are equipped with Driver Monitoring Systems. Cameras record eye movements and head position, analysing signs of fatigue or inattention. If the system detects that the driver has stopped concentrating on the road, it will give an audible or visual signal. In some cases, the vehicle may even slow down or stop.
Dr Lars Hanson, a safety systems engineer, believes that ‘driver tracking will become a standard feature in most cars in the coming years as it reduces accidents caused by human error.’
Parking assistance systems
Automated parking has become a real lifesaver for many drivers, especially in dense urban environments. Parking assistance systems use cameras and ultrasonic sensors to measure the space and direction of the car. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), automated parking systems reduce the risk of damage to a car when parking by 81%. The car can drive itself into a parking space, minimising the risk of collision with other objects.
Bumpers as an element of safety
Few people think about the fact that bumpers are not just a decorative part of the car, but an important element of the safety system. Modern bumpers are designed to absorb impact energy in a collision. Their main task is to soften the impact and reduce damage to both the car and people.
According to Onlinecarparts, the Audi A1 bumper provides additional protection through reinforced construction and the use of modern shock-absorbing materials. This significantly reduces the likelihood of body damage in low-speed collisions and reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians. Inside the bumper are shock-absorbing materials that dissipate energy in an accident, preventing serious damage to the car body.
The impact of new technologies on accident reduction
The combination of technologies – from collision avoidance to driver monitoring systems – makes driving not only more comfortable, but also significantly safer. According to an IIHS study, automatic emergency braking systems can reduce severe accidents by 50 per cent and fatigue tracking systems by 12 per cent. These safety features in modern cars play a key role in preventing accidents and reducing serious crashes.
New vehicle safety technologies play a key role in reducing accidents on the road. Collision avoidance, driver tracking and automatic parking systems significantly improve road safety. Modern bumpers, as an important part of car and pedestrian protection, play their part in minimising the effects of collisions. As technology advances, automotive safety will continue to improve, offering drivers even more innovative solutions to prevent accidents.
