2019 will be here before we know it. As with any new year, industry leaders are beginning to showcase the latest and greatest advancements in technology. Automobile safety is no exception. Here are our top 5 predictions for auto safety trends in 2019.
- Pre-Collision Systems (PCS) with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
There’s already an interest in PSC systems, and we predict they’ll be increasingly paired with AEB technology. Pre-collision systems utilize a forward-facing camera and a laser and/or radar in order to scan the road ahead for potential dangers. This includes alerting the driver if the distance between them and the vehicle ahead is closing too rapidly. When paired with AEB, this technology will use the PCS’s predictions to automatically apply the breaks if the car calculates that a collision is imminent.
This feature may be unsettling for some drivers, in particular those who are more experienced and can safely determine they are not at risk of collision on their own. However, most AEB systems can be turned off.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Fans of using their car’s cruise control setting will like this next step in the technology. Adaptive cruise control uses a vehicle’s forward-facing sensors to scan the road ahead, paying attention for potential slower-moving vehicles ahead. Once detected, the system will automatically adjust your speed to match the car ahead while maintaining a safe distance.
- Blind spot detection
One of the most frustrating aspects we cannot erase from our automobiles are our blind spots. However, blind spot detection technology has seen drastic improvements recently. These systems monitor the road behind you for cars that are potentially just out of your line of sight. This tools is particularly helpful for Ontario’s multi-lane highways. To alert drivers, most systems illuminate an amber light by the side view mirror, making for an unobtrusive warning.
- Forward-facing cameras
More often referred to as dash cams, forward-facing cameras have been readily available for several years as an aftermarket add-on. However, more manufacturers have begun building these cameras into their vehicles, and some even adapt the technology for performance.
- Facial recognition software
The piece of technology on this list that most mirrors the Minority Report may be the introduction of facial recognition software. Subaru recently introduced this technology in the new Subaru Forester. The technology is designed to look for signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction. The goal of facial recognition software is to ultimately allow the vehicle to not only alert the driver when it detects fatigue or distraction, but to automatically employ adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking if a potential collision is detected.
New safety features often leads to cheaper car insurance for drivers. If you purchase a car with any of the above safety features, be sure to indicate what you’re equipped with when you’re comparing car insurance rates through a site such as Insurance Hotline. Chances are, they will help lower your premiums and save you more in the long-run. But you must keep in mind these advances in technology don’t replace the need for safe and attentive driving. In any collision caused by a distracted driver, it will be the fault of the driver, not the fault of the car.
Comments are closed.