Best Ten Automotive Safety Features For Teens & New Drivers

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

The safest vehicles are cars or trucks with the most innovative technology. One of the most advanced safety systems offered is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). ACC uses cutting-edge radar sensors that keep your car, truck, or SUV at a risk-free range from vehicles in front of you and your passengers. Here's how the ACC system works:

• The driver establishes the cruise control maximum speed.
• The ACC radar system stays at a safe distance from the cars in front of you.
• When detecting an imminent collision, the ACC will utilize the car's AEB system (see the next safety feature) to slow or stop the car.

AEB: Automatic Emergency Braking

Driving while distracted has become a larger problem today. This is largely due to personal device usage while driving, particularly with new drivers. AEB systems are specifically designed to prevent an accident before it occurs. In the event of an unavoidable impact, the AEB system will:

• Alert the driver with an audible alarm - some systems will also use vibrating seats and steering wheels, as well.
• If the driver does not apply the brake quickly enough to prevent an accident, the AEB system will engage the brakes automatically to help stop or reduce the seriousness of a forward collision.
• In case the driver requires further braking help, the following safety option steps in.

Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)/Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)

Many more car and truck manufacturers are including extra automatic braking systems to help drivers in avoiding or drastically reducing the severity of a mishap. The inclusion of a CIB/DBS system helps the driver by:

• Automatically adding brake pressure should the vehicle senses the driver's braking pressure is inadequate to stop the car prior to an accident.
• In the event that the driver fails to apply the brakes at all, the CIB system kicks in to automatically apply the brakes to prevent or minimize the damage of an accident.

Adaptive Headlights

With these extraordinary headlights, dark corners on poorly lit roads are a distant memory. Linked to the steering system, the headlights turn in the very same direction the steering wheel is turning in order to brighten the area the car, truck, or SUV is turning into. This safety feature is particularly useful in rural areas with limited or no outside lights.

Forward Collision Warning

Driving while distracted is becoming less of an issue thanks to this safety feature. Video cameras, radar, and even lasers are masterfully used to inform drivers when objects in front of them are getting too near to the front of your vehicle. Throw in an automated emergency braking system and you can rest easy when your teen driver is on the road.

Blind Spot Detection

Thanks to this safety innovation, that aggravating blind spot has finally been removed. Cameras and\or lasers keep an eye out in areas on your car, truck, or SUV that many drivers are unable to. A warning alert makes sure you are aware of another vehicle's presence before you change lanes.

Lane Keeping System (LKS)/Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Even more excellent news for distracted drivers. Cameras and lasers are also made use of to watch the lane markings on the average street. When the system senses the car has started vacating its lane, it will inform the driver with alarms and lights, a vibrating steering wheel, and even a vibrating seat.

Rear-View Camera

Not to be confused with back-up cameras, the difference between these 2 outstanding innovations is stark. While back-up cameras frequently have a limited field of vision, rear view cameras typically utilize wide-angle lenses to give the driver a much wider view of who or what is behind them.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

As the name indicates, your car, truck, or SUV's TPMS sensors keep track of the air pressure in all4 tires and notifies the driver with dashboard lights and even an alarm if the tire pressure get to critical levels.

Facial Recognition Software

Finally, we have one of the newest advancements to our vehicle safety suites. Thanks to improvements in facial recognition technology, cars, truck, and SUVs are beginning to include this tech to keep an eye on driver alertness. Once calibrated to the driver's distinct features, the software can spot a change in driver attention levels. The software will then inform the driver with dashboard lights and alarms. This being a new safety feature, drivers can expect more advanced signaling actions like vibrating seats and steering wheels.