With an outstanding emphasis on
safety and innovation, automakers
have made safety features – which in
the past one could only dream about
– commonplace. Cars today are safer
than ever because of technology that
does not stop at protecting passengers
but actively avoids collisions
altogether.
Lane Keep Assist –
Inevitably technology impacts how
humans function. As a result, distracted driving has been
the root of countless dangerous situations. However, cars
like the 2017 Jaguar XE are combating these situations
with Lane Keep Assist and Driver Condition technology.
This feature detects lapses in concentration and alerts the
driver by an audible and visual alert. Additionally, cars
like the Ford Fusion are equipped with an LKA system
that provides the same functions at an affordable price.
Active Blind Spot Assist –
For years, consumers
and automakers have dealt with the unavoidable
inconvenience of the blindspot. Fortunately, systems like
Mercedes-Benz’s Active Blind Spot Assist have taken this
challenge by implementing a radar sensor system. The
Active Blind Spot Assist not only tracks the area around
the vehicle but can actively warn you when a vehicle is
in your blind spot. If the driver does attempt to turn, the
system will apply the brakes as a warning and safety
precaution. This feature is offered in many vehicles for as
little as $250.
Safety Comes Standard –
Manufacturers are changing
the way they look at safety, now focusing on how a
vehicle reacts when in an accident and trying to lessen
the chance of severe injury in the event the unavoidable
happens. For the early commuter, Drowsiness Detection
may save a life when it detects that the driver is tired
or falling asleep and alerts the driver by dabbing on the
brakes, tugging on the shoulder belt, or by an audio and
visual alert. This feature can be found along with the
pedestrian detection and braking in the Volvo CX90.
For Volvo, safety systems like City Safe, cross traffic
alert, lane keeping aid, and blind spot information are
all standard features. As a result, Volvo is introducing
the concept of effortless safety. As they put it, “It’s not
enough to simply protect, we want to prevent you from
ever being in a collision at all.”
Safety for One and All –
For individuals who seek
safety but want to avoid breaking the bank, there are great
non-luxury options. One, in particular,
is Subaru’s EyeSight System. Launched
in 2012, this system protects passengers
by using adaptive cruise control, lane
departure and sideways warning, pre-
collision braking, and pre-collision throttle
management.
As vehicles advance safety, technologies
such as the ones mentioned above evolve to
one day phase out all collisions. It becomes
evident when looking at the many safety
features offered today that consumers
do not have to choose between safe or
sorry. Rather, know that “Safety First” is
something manufacturers agree on.
By Colleen Moran
Chicago Auto Show Communications Specialist
More Car, Les s Money : The LEASE you can do!
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2016
SECURITY BLANKETS –
Over-the-Top Safety
19
