Safety of your near and dear ones is quite important while you are driving a car. As such, you need to be aware of the latest safety equipment that should be present in your car. In the following sections let us look at few of the safety features that help in improving safety of your car while you are driving.
Safety Equipment for Your Car
Glass with Shatter Resistance
This feature ensures that the wind shield breaks apart into several small pieces during an accident. These glasses are adequately laminated for preventing injuries.
Seat Belts
Seat belts have pre-tensioners that retract instantly to absorb the shock during a car accident. In some cars, there are inflatable belts that help in reducing belt's force on people sitting in rear seats. These inflatable belts spread force of the impact over a larger area.
Airbags
These are a standard security feature nowadays and prove to be of critical importance during an accident. There are airbags systems available now which are capable of detecting seat position, weight, and presence of driver and rear passenger.
Such detection is used for depowering or deactivating the airbags if the driver is sitting too near the wheel to minimize the chances of injury.
Anti-Lock Brakes
Earlier, the braking system was such that it applied brakes to rear wheels only. When the brakes were applied, the car used to swerve and slide before stopping.
At present, cars have 4-wheel brakes that prevents such swerving and sliding when brakes are applied. Anti-lock braking system lets the driver maintain steering control when applying brakes and maneuver the car around obstacles.
Stability Control
This feature helps in providing better traction control to a car. This system keeps the vehicle from skidding, rolling over, or sliding and ensures that the car remains on the intended path while the car takes a turn.
Here, sensors are used for detecting steering angle, rotation, wheel speed, and sideways motion. If it is noticed that the vehicle is drifting outside the intended path then the system brakes the wheels and may also lower engine power so that the vehicle regains its normal course.
Headlights
Adaptive headlights make use of sensors for monitoring elevation of the car for illuminating the road in an effective manner. Such systems also reduce glare that oncoming drivers must bear. Thus, improved visibility makes driving easier for drivers and reduces risk of accidents.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure monitoring system provides a warning when tire pressure goes down below a certain level. Handling system is affected when there are under-inflated tires and have a negative impact on fuel economy.
In addition, as such tires are more susceptible to wear and damage, such under-inflated conditions can result in a blowout.
Brake Assist
This system initiates the detection process when someone makes a panic stop. The brake assist puts maximum force on the brakes. This process facilitates threshold braking and does not result in wheel lock up.
Analysis shows that even during panic stop, most drivers do not apply maximum force on the brakes. Here, brake assist proves to be useful and helps the car stop at shortest distance.