Buying a new car now comes with a lot of additional decisions that include Driver Assistance Technology (DAT). While car manufacturers have different names for DAT technologies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is helping consumers break through the confusion with information about how these technologies work along with safety-related performance data. Check out the NHSTA safety rating and the NHTSA Vehicle Shopper’s on Driver Assistance Technologies before you make that buying decision
Some systems are designed to warn you if you’re at risk of a crash, while others are designed to take action to actively avoid a crash. It’s important to understand the difference. Be sure to review your vehicle’s owner’s manual for more information on that particular vehicle’s technology and safety features – after all, they can’t save lives if they aren’t being used properly.
Lane Departure
A lane departure warning (LDW) system is an advanced safety technology that alerts drivers when they unintentionally drift out of their lanes without a turn signal. It’s important to note that LDW systems do not take full control of the vehicle or keep the driver from operating it.
Lane Keeping
Using lane monitoring technology, lane keeping support (LKS) is an emerging safety technology that prevents drivers from unintentionally drifting out of their lanes.
LKS systems use information provided by sensors in a lane departure warning system to determine whether a vehicle is about to move out of its lane of travel. LKS activates by correcting the steering, resulting in the vehicle returning to its intended lane of travel.
Backup Camera
A rearview video system (RVS), also known as a backup camera, is a safety technology that helps prevent back-over crashes and protect our most vulnerable people—children and senior citizens. By providing an image of the area behind the vehicle, backup cameras help drivers see behind the vehicle. For a great NHTSA graphic about backup and parking assistance, click here.
Blind Spot Detection
Blind spot detection (BSD) systems warn drivers with an audio or visual warning if there are vehicles in adjacent lanes that the driver may not see. The alert helps facilitate safe lane changes.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems detect an impending forward crash with another vehicle in time to avoid or mitigate the crash. These systems first alert the driver to take corrective action and supplement the driver’s braking to avoid the crash. If the driver does not respond, the AEB system may automatically apply the brakes to assist in preventing or reducing the severity of a crash.
Dynamic Brake Support and Crash Imminent Braking
If the driver brakes, but not hard enough to avoid the crash, DBS automatically supplements the driver’s braking in an effort to avoid the crash. If the driver does not take any action to avoid the crash, CIB automatically applies the vehicle’s brakes to slow or stop the car, avoiding the crash or reducing its severity.
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking
A pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) system—also known as frontal pedestrian impact mitigation braking—is an emerging safety technology that provides automatic braking for vehicles when pedestrians are in front of the vehicle and the driver has not acted to avoid a crash.
Forward Collision
A forward collision warning (FCW) system is an advanced safety technology that monitors a vehicle’s speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it, and the distance between the vehicles. If vehicles get too close due to the speed of the rear vehicle, the FCW system will warn that driver of an impending crash. It’s important to note that FCW systems do not take full control of the vehicle or keep the driver from operating it. For the NHTSA graphic about preventing forward collisions, click here.
911 Notification
An automatic crash notification (ACN) system is an emerging safety technology designed to notify emergency responders that a crash has occurred and provide its location.
In most cases, when the ACN sensor detects either that an air bag has deployed or that there’s been a dramatic and sudden deceleration, the system automatically connects to an operator, who will then be able to communicate with passengers in the vehicle after a crash. The operator is also able to collect basic information from the vehicle, without passenger input, to provide to emergency responders so they can easily locate and reach the scene of the crash.
Dean and Draper
We hope that you have found the information from the NHTSA useful and interesting. When you are looking for a new car, we invite you to call us with your insurance questions.
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