Staying attentive while driving is essential for every car driver to stay safe and keep others safe on the road as well. To avoid any accidents while driving, car drivers need to adhere to traffic regulations and adopt a defensive driving approach. One of the biggest reasons for accidents is distracted driving which simply implies that the driver was engaged elsewhere and could not respond to the incoming danger timely. If drivers are sleepy, tired, eating, taking a phone call, or paying more attention to a conversation with another occupant, they can easily be distracted.
Firstly, car drivers need to assume responsibility while driving by limiting other activities besides driving. If they are unable to focus, it is best to pull over and rest for a while before resuming the drive. This is imperative while driving on highways as the flow of traffic is heavy and a collision can prove to be fatal.
Secondly, to facilitate car drivers in maintaining car safety, modern-day vehicles come equipped with advanced safety technologies. These preventive technologies can help minimize the impact of the accident or prevent the collision from happening by controlling the movement of the vehicle. There is a vast variety of safety and driver-assistance technologies that are available to motorists to ensure occupant safety and a pleasant driving experience.
Given below are notable safety and driver-assistance systems that can help reduce accidents and maintain road safety.
Driver Monitoring Systems
Safety technologies are becoming more and more intuitive with innovation and advancement in technologies. With driver monitoring systems, the driver’s activity can be monitored and in case the system detects that the driver is distracted, it sends an alert. The driver monitoring system detects if the driver is drowsy or sleepy by monitoring the movement of the steering wheel and the vehicle on its intended path. Automakers such as Sabarua and BMW have also introduced a more advanced version of this system by installing a front-facing camera that makes use of facial recognition technology to monitor the driver. The system monitors the eye and head movement of the driver to determine if they are paying attention or if they are distracted. If the driver monitoring system detects signs of fatigue or distraction, it sounds an alert so that drivers can become more attentive.
Some advanced versions of the system installed in cars with cruise control can also detect. If the driver has their hands on the steering wheel. Earlier versions of the system would alert the driver with a coffee cup sign. Appearing on the digital display suggesting that the driver should take a break. The advanced version also links to the car’s navigation system and suggests upcoming rest stops where the driver can stop and freshen up.
Lane Departure Warning
Distracted driving can also lead to the driver deviating from their intended path without even noticing. There are some safety technologies to help car drivers detect that and make sure that they can avoid accidents. Lane departure warning makes use of sensors to detect the road markings and keep track that the vehicle remains within its lane. If the lane departure warning detects. The vehicle steering away from the lane without turning on the turn signal. That will send a warning to the driver. The warning sent can be in the form of a visual alert. Some systems will send a pop-up notification on the gauge cluster. Lights in the instrument cluster, or rumble in the driver seat. When the driver turns on the indicators to shift lanes or turn the lane departure warning is disengaged
Lane Keeping Assist
This safety technology follows a similar principle as lane departure warning. But it takes the safety protocol a step further for the driver. This safety feature will not only detect and warn the driver. When the vehicle is straying from its lane. It will act on behalf of the driver if there is no response. Lane keeping assist will gently move the vehicle back into the lane by steering. The wheel without the driver moving it to recentre the vehicle’s path. If the vehicle has activated cruise control. The lane keeping assist may deactivate it to steer the vehicle back.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Although these in-cabin technologies are considered as infotainment, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can be considered as valuable safety technologies. These systems are available with the latest cars. They allow car drivers to connect their phones to the car. Take calls, respond to text via voice recognition and activate navigation. Instead of distracting the driver. These systems allow them to pay attention to the road while they manage other tasks for them. By integrating the phone to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Car drivers can communicate with ease without having to look at their phones. They can also lock some features on the phone. Such as the keyboard to prevent themselves and others from using it.
Locking Out Controls
This is a slightly older version of safety technology. But it is still relevant as it is used by brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mazda. As the name suggests, the system can lock controls while the vehicle is in motion. So that the driver cannot be distracted by using their phones. The on-screen keyboard is locked out that prevents the driver from typing. Anything or having to look down on their phones for an extended time.
Bottom Line
Safety technologies are continuously evolving and making headway in making roads and occupants safe during the commute. These safety technologies are directed toward distracted drivers and help prevent accidents. Understanding how such technologies work can be beneficial so that car owners. Who may not have such technologies present in their vehicles at the moment can get them installed (if possible). Besides these safety technologies. Drivers need to be careful while driving to keep everyone safe, avoid financial loss or any kind of inconvenience.
