The debate on car safety is now heating up across the nation. But as more and more publications focus on the Google Car or the autonomous car technology, others seem to focus on other types of systems that are being used currently and that could help to boost safety if more automakers make use of these features.
The latest account on car safety technologies touches on a system that could cause the number of rear-end collisions to drop considerably. In the United States, 1,700 people die each year due to this type of accident. Rear-end collisions account for half of America’s two-car crashes. Making use of this type of technology could help to increase safety across the board.
Unfortunately for many drivers, this type of car safety technology is only available to those who are willing to pay more. But as U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulators recommend car companies to add the car safety systems to their vehicles, more drivers may soon benefit.
The technology is designed to alert drivers about the possible risks associated with obstacles ahead. The technology is set up to either alert the driver so he or she will apply the brakes, but the system may also have an automatic braking feature added to the technology that would slam on the brakes if it senses an accident may occur.
To regulators, automakers should be adding this type of crash-avoidance technology to most of its newer vehicles. Like air bags or anti-lock brakes, these technologies could help to reduce the number of deadly traffic accidents.
Safety advocates as well as members of the National Transportation Safety Board have been urging automakers to keep in mind that systems like seat belts don’t cost extra to drivers. To them, safety features like the collision-prevention technology should always be part of all vehicles. But analysts claim that not all car safety technologies are the same. Since crash-prevention technology is more expensive to develop and install, adding the features to all vehicles could cause the manufacturing costs to rise, a problem that may impact the affordable car market.
According to a 2007 study carried out by the government shows that 87 percent of rear-end accidents are linked to driver inattention. According to federal regulators’ estimates, 80 percent of deadly rear-end collisions could have been avoided then if systems that prevent crashes had been added to most cars.
While many new, affordable vehicles are still lacking this type of system, 40 percent of new 2014 cars offer the optional crash-avoidance systems. A considerable increase from 2010, when only 10 percent of the new cars offered the technology.
To experts, deadly accidents will only be reduced when more cars are fitted with safety, and crash-avoidance tech. For more on the rear-end crash avoidance systems, follow this link.