Saving lives with technology
English writer Alexander Pope once wrote that to err is human and nowhere is that truer than behind the wheel.
We all make mistakes while driving, but thankfully modern technology helps us reduce their impact or avoid them altogether.
What type of technology do we mean?
Newer vehicles come equipped with a variety of safety-related technologies, known as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Using onboard sensors, cameras and software, these systems monitor the road and surrounding environment to help protect the vehicle’s occupants and other road users.
Existing research indicates that different ADAS functions may reduce crash rates by 25 to 30 per cent.
What does ADAS do?
ADAS performs a range of functions, from collision warning and braking assistance to lane keeping, speed management, parking assistance and driver monitoring.
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) senses danger ahead and can brake automatically before the driver has time to react. Lane keeping assist (LKA) helps keep vehicles from drifting out of their lane and into danger. And electronic stability control (ESC) is another common but important feature that helps drivers reduce or prevent skidding in difficult driving conditions.
Other modern features include blind spot warning, intelligent speed assistance, and cross traffic warning, which alerts drivers to vehicles approaching from the side, front or behind they may not be able to see. In simple terms, driver assist technologies help reduce road crashes by helping you react to emergencies quicker.
Director for Road Safety Policy and Reform at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) Sarah Clark says ADAS are critical for road safety.
“ADAS act as a second set of eyes, warning drivers of potential hazards and helping them avoid danger before it happens,” Sarah says.
How do I use ADAS?
Depending on your vehicle, you would typically activate ADAS features via touchscreens, steering wheel buttons and dashboard menus, while some come on automatically. The system communicates through beeps, vibrations, dashboard icons and, in some cases, automatic braking or steering.
Some features can be turned off while you’re driving but consider the risk you’re taking if you do switch the features off. ADAS has been proven to make vehicles considerably safer than those without it. Turning them off means losing features that could save your life in a crash or prevent a crash altogether.
Remember, ADAS doesn’t replace the driver’s judgement and skill; the technology is there to support you. So, think of it as a second set of eyes watching the road, warning you of danger and using cameras and sensors to step in and assist with braking, steering or skid control when needed. Stay safe by keeping them switched on.
“Even good drivers make mistakes, so it’s important to keep ADAS turned on. It could save your life,” Sarah says.
Before you drive your new pride and joy on the road, ask the dealer to explain what your vehicle’s ADAS features are, how they work and how to use them.
How do I buy a safer car?
When buying or leasing a vehicle, put safety at the top of your shopping list and get the safest car you can afford that suits your needs. The right choice could save the lives of you, your family, other drivers and vulnerable road users like pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.
The good news is the hard work has already been done when it comes to checking a vehicle’s safety features. ANCAP – Australia and New Zealand’s independent vehicle safety authority – conducts regular crash tests and safety assessments on new vehicles, assigning a rating of zero to five stars. The more stars, the safer the car. Before you buy, visit ANCAP and search for the make and model you’re considering; if ANCAP has tested the vehicle, you’ll find its star rating and a breakdown of results.
You don’t have to be buying new either. Used cars are also rated on their safety performance, although it’s based on real-life crashes rather than lab conditions. Visit the THINK! Road Safety website to find the safest used car within your budget.