Road accidents are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. Around 42,915 individuals died in motor vehicle accidents in 2021. That’s the highest rate from 2005 and a 10.5 percent rise from 2020, reveals a recent CNBC article.
More than 14,000 people were injured, and 178 of them died in traffic crashes in St. Louis alone. Around 48 percent of road accidents are caused due to speeding.
However, the good news is that the automotive industry has been pushing boundaries to improve the safety of drivers. How? By developing revolutionary technologies. In this article, we will discuss a few technologies that are developed to reduce crashes and improve automotive safety.
#1 Transparent Hood
The transparent hood technology was first unveiled by Land Rover to tackle off-road driving challenges faced by drivers. Designed with virtual imaging technology, the transparent hood system gives users a view of the road ahead and under the car by making the bonnet transparent.
But how is the bonnet made transparent? Of course, through the use of cameras. Front-facing cameras capture the image of the road ahead and relay it to the heads-up display across the windshield’s bottom. As it effectively creates a “see-through” sight of the terrain through the engine bay and the hood, drivers can see the possible hazards that lay ahead.
Besides the terrain’s image, the transparent hood technology gives drivers a view of the position and angle of the front wheels. It’s because of this groundbreaking technology that drivers are capable of tackling anything, from the tight confines of downtown parking to the toughest off-road route.
Land Rover isn’t the only manufacturer who showcased this feature. Continental’s ADAS team has also developed the transparent hood technology.
#2 Enhanced Accident Response System
Nowadays, many vehicles come integrated with the enhanced accident response system or EARS to keep passengers as safe as possible in the event of an accident. While these systems differ depending on the manufacturer of the vehicle and model, the primary purpose of EARS is to minimize injuries and provide assistance when traffic crashes occur.
Take, for example, DaimlerChrysler’s EARS. After deploying airbags, its vehicles shut off the fuel flow to the engine, unlock doors, and turn on the interior lighting. This way, first-help respondents can easily see and reach the vehicle’s occupants.
The EARS of Volkswagen, on the other hand, disconnects the battery terminal from the alternator. It also turns on the hazard light. Meanwhile, BMW Assist and General Motors’ OnStar notify their respective response centers of the collision and provide crash details to emergency services.
#3 Dashcams
Originally invented to help police with traffic surveillance, dashcams have become much sought-after safety accessories among private and commercial vehicle owners. Do you know why? Because these cameras capture footage of unexpected situations, incidents, and accidents.
Dashcams record the road as you drive. Many require batteries to operate, whereas others run after you plug them into the 12V outlet of your car.
In case you get involved in an accident, dashcam footage can serve as evidence. As the videos are of high quality, your lawyer can prove that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the other party.
In all 50 states of the U.S., dashcams are legal. Whether you reside in St. Louis or San Diego, you can install them in your car without worries.
Especially if you live in St. Louis, dashcams are a must-have in your vehicle. We say so because a new study reveals St. Louis to be the most dangerous city to live in the U.S. Not only crime, but traffic accident rates are also high in the city. As St. Louis is the centralized hub through which the nation’s freight and cargo travels, truck accidents are on the rise in the city, writes TorHoerman Law.
In case your vehicle collides with a truck in St. Louis, dashcams will record each detail of what happened on the road. Thus, your St. Louis truck accident attorney will have quality evidence to prove the truck driver’s fault. That means your chances of winning fair compensation will be high.
#4 Adaptive Cruise Control
Unlike traditional cruise control, which only manages a car’s speed, adaptive cruise control locates cars ahead through sensors and radars. Not only that, but it also speeds up or slows down to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
If the system suspects a potential collision, it tightens the seatbelts and brakes hard. As soon as the traffic speeds up or the lane clears, the car automatically returns to its normal speed.
While the BMW system is named Active Cruise Control, Maybach and Mercedes-Benz call it Distronic.
Wrapping Up
Apart from the four technologies mentioned above, features like emergency brake assist, parking sensors, and lane departure warning have improved automotive safety. As technology continues to evolve, we shall witness more innovative solutions that will enhance automotive safety.
In recent years, though, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and airbags have already become standard safety features. It’s expected that more of these will become standard in the future.
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