Safer Cars Could Mean Fewer Accidents, Injuries
Last month’s New England International Auto Show displayed a variety of advanced new auto safety features that don’t just minimize injuries in accidents, but also work to prevent crashes, and increase your chances of survival if you are involved in one. What’s more, many of these features are not restricted to high end luxury models, but are being introduced even in mid range and low range models.
For automakers, it makes sense to pump their vehicles with the most high-tech safety features. Surveys show that safety is one of the top most considerations for a car buyer. Even in a recession, car buyers are looking for more than seatbelts and airbags to keep them and their loved ones safe during an accident.
Newer cars are likely to come with some systems that I found have special potential in preventing accidents.
- Lane departure warnings – these sound an alarm when you are beginning to veer off your lane
- Stay in lane systems- these automatically inch the car back into the lane when you begin to veer off
- Heads up displays - these allow you to see your speedometer and gas gauge readings on an upper level display, preventing the need to take your eyes off the road
- Face recognition monitors - these monitor the position of your head while driving, and sound an alarm when you begin to nod off
- Forward collision warnings - these systems sound warnings when you get too close to the vehicle or object in front of you
- Active head restraints - these cushion the back of your head during an accident by protruding a few inches upward.
Of course more and more cars now come fitted with antilock brake systems (ABS) and electronic stability control systems. These are two of the most important collision prevention technologies you could have in your car. With automakers focusing extra hard on safety, I am confident that the nationwide decline in crash fatality rates will continue over the next few years
Scott Grossman is a Monmouth County auto accident lawyer, representing injured victims of auto accidents in Freehold, Marlboro, Aberdeen, Howell, and across Monmouth County.
