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Vehicle Safety Features Explained
Safety technology systems have evolved significantly over the last decade with a wide range of safety features now standard on many models across a range of vehicle manufacturers. Vehicle safety technology & driver assist systems reduce the risk of having an accident and helps keep you & other road users safe on the road.
Whether you're purchasing a new or used car, it's important to know & understand the different safety technology offered by vehicle manufacturers and more importantly what they do to keep you safe on the road. With that in mind, we've created a comprehensive guide which we hope will help you learn more!
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Autonomous Emergency Braking uses radar sensors and/or a camera on the windshield at the front of the vehicle to monitor the road the ahead for a potential collision. If the system does detect a potential collision, AEB will prevent an accident by alerting the driver (Forward Collision Warning) and automatically applying the brake if the driver fails to take action.
There are four types of AEB avaliable: low speed AEB (below 40km/h), high speed AEB (above 40km/h), rear AEB (detects any potential collision behind the vehicle) and pedestrian AEB (detects people & cyclists).
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control uses sensors around the vehicle to prevent the driver from losing control of the vehicle by automatically adjusting your speed and simultaneously braking one or more wheels to help stabilise the vehicle allowing you to gain control again.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Using radar sensors at both rear corners of the vehicle, Blind Spot Monitoring actively scans your blind spots to detect unseen vehicles and notifies you with a warning light on your side mirrors.
If a vehicle is detected in your blind spot and you indicate to change lanes, BSM will issue an audible warning and may automatically steer you away to prevent an accident.
Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Rear-Cross Traffic Alert uses radar sensors at both rear corners of the vehicle, to monitor vehicles approaching from behind you on either side to help you reverse out of a parking space safely.
If a vehicle is detected, RCTA will alert you with an audible warning and automatically apply the brake using reverse AEB, if the driver fails to take action.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Adaptive Cruise Control uses a radar sensor on the front grille of the vehicle & a camera on the front windshield to monitor the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you and automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe following distance. You can adjust the following distance using the dials on the steering wheel to suit your personal preference.
If the vehicle ahead of you speeds up or you change lanes, your vehicle will automatically return to your original set speed. In some vehicles, ACC uses the camera on the front windshield & satelite navigation to automatically adjust your cruise control set speed to the posted speed limit.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane-Keep Assist (LKA) & Lane Follow Assist (LFA)
A forward sensing camera along with multiple other sensors around the vehicle, work in conjuction to detect lane markings & curves in the road ahead. If your vehicle veers away from the centre of the lane into the other lane, Lane Departure Warning will issue an audible warning & Lane-Keep Assist will automatically steer your vehcile to keep it ion the center of the lane if the driver fails to take action.
Using the same camera & sensors, Lane Follow Assist will semi-autonomously steer the vehicle following the line markings & curves in the road ahead. If no hands are detected on the steering wheel for an extended period of time, LFA will become disabled until the vehicle is turned on again.
Automatic/Adaptive High Beam (AHB)
Automatic High Beam uses a camera on the front windshield to monitor the road ahead for approaching vehicles and will automatically turn your high beams off to prevent the driver from being blinded.
Once the vehicle has passed, AHB will then switch your high beams on to ensure you can see clearly at night.
Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
Using multiple sensors, cameras and radars around the vehicle, Driver Attention Warning analyses driver behaviour and issues an audible warning if the system detects signs of fatigue.
Safe Exit Warning (SEW) & Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
Safe Exit Warning uses radar sensors at both rear corners of the vehicle to detect oncoming vehicles from behind your vehicle. If a vehicle is detected and the driver opens a door, SEW will issue an audible warning to alert the driver.
In vehicles with Safe Exit Assist, the doors will automatically lock to prevent you from opening the door onto an oncoming vehicle.
Speed Limit Recognition (SLR)
Speed Limit Recognition uses satellite navigation combined with a camera on the front windshield to display the posted speed limit on the instrument cluster to ensure you are aware of the speed limit at all times.
In some vehicles, SLR will automatically adjust your crusie control speed to the posted speed limit.
We hope our guide helped you understand the different safety technology that vehicle manufacturers offer & more importantly what they do to keep your safe on the roads.
Browse our stock by clicking here or visit us at 1165 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool to driveaway in your next car. Stay safe!