How Your Car Can Save Your Life: Things You May Not Know
May 3, 2018
Strides in modern technology have made cars safer over the decades. Most modern vehicles have systems capable of stopping accidents or reducing the risk of serious injury in a car crash. However, according to the Insurance Journal, most motorists are unaware of available safety features. For example, while more than 90% of those surveyed were familiar with antilock brake systems (which have been around since the 1980s), only 45% knew what adaptive cruise control was – even though it has been mainstream for more than a decade.
Take a look at the technology available in most modern cars, and see how you can use these features to prevent mishaps on the road.
Traction Control
Traction control works to keep your car from slipping and spinning when conditions are slippery, icy, or excessively wet. It’s a good feature to use when you’re driving uphill or pulling a heavy load. Your traction control doesn’t have much bearing on your fuel mileage, so it’s safe (and recommended) to keep on at all times. You may need to turn it off in rare occurrences; for example, if you’re driving with snow chains on your tires.
Blind Spot Mirror
Most new cars are equipped with a sensor that sends a signal to your rearview mirror if there is a vehicle in your blind spot. If you flip your turn signal on, you may see a flashing icon on the mirror or you may hear a chirp. This is your car warning you that it’s not safe to merge. Before turning, always look over your shoulder to check your blind spot.
Lane Departure Warning
If you have a new vehicle, chances are your car is equipped with this. A lane departure warning system tells you if you’re veering off course and out of your lane. Since it functions by identifying roadway markings, it works only on roads with clearly marked lane dividers. If you begin to drift out of your lane, your car’s steering wheel may vibrate or emit a sound to tell you to adjust your course. Using your turn signal will override the system.
Automatic Emergency Braking
If you’ve ever taken a driver’s education course, you probably remember student cars equipped with a passenger brake for the instructor to use in an emergency. Think of this system as a driver’s education instructor for your car. The Automatic Emergency Braking System identifies an imminent forward crash and applies pressure to your brakes so you can steer safely out of the way or stop.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Most cars now come equipped with the ability to follow at a safe distance automatically. This feature, called adaptive cruise control, works by setting your desired speed and preferred distance from the car ahead of you. Your car’s computer will take these parameters into consideration and adapt the speed for you as you drive. This feature works best when driving long distances or when traveling on highways. It’s important to remember that this feature may not work in tunnels, as your car requires proper visualization of the car in front of you.
When it comes to driving, automobiles are safer than they’ve ever been before. However, it’s important to note that these safety features aren’t an adequate substitute for keeping your eyes on the road. You should always be alert to your surroundings and pull over if you get tired.
In addition, these features may not work properly in adverse conditions, so pull over if the weather gets too bad. Visit https://mycardoeswhat.org/ to look at the other features your car might have and get a better idea of the tools at your disposal.
Find more like this: Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Safety
