Top five essential safety features for your car

Discover the five must-have safety features that can protect your family during your holiday road trips. Learn about advanced systems like autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping aid, side-impact airbags, safety score evaluation and the groundbreaking interior radar system.

It’s the holiday season again, and families across the country are gearing up or have already embarked on their journeys to their favourite vacation spots. With the awareness of the hazards present on South  African roads, it is crucial to understand how modern safety features can assist you in emergency situations.

While traditional safety measures such as seatbelts, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) are now standard in most vehicles, there are several higher-tech safety systems that can further enhance your family’s protection on the road. Let’s delve into these five exciting safety features, some already available in the UK market, while others are expected to be introduced soon.

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB): Imagine a system that detects potential forward collisions and automatically activates your car’s brakes to prevent or reduce the impact of a crash. That’s exactly what autonomous emergency braking (AEB) does. While AEB is not currently mandatory in the SA, it is required in certain markets. More advanced versions can operate at higher speeds and even recognize cyclists, pedestrians and animals, making it an invaluable feature to have.
• Lane-keeping aid: Equipped with front-mounted cameras, a vehicle fitted with a lane-keeping aid can monitor lane markings and alert the driver when they unintentionally drift out of their lane. Advanced systems can provide steering assistance, gently guiding the vehicle back into its lane and ensuring safe driving conditions.
• Side-impact airbags: Originally introduced by Volvo in 1991, side-impact airbags have become a standard feature in many vehicles today. Unlike the earlier seat-mounted systems, modern cars now come equipped with full-length curtain airbags. These airbags drop down from the roof on both sides of the cabin in the event of a side-impact collision, offering extensive protection to both front and rear passengers.
• Safety score evaluation: Although Tesla vehicles are not currently available in South Africa, this US automaker offers an intriguing safety score system in some other regions. By using real-time data, the system assesses driving behaviour based on various metrics such as braking force, cornering speed, following distances, seatbelt usage and speeding. A score out of 100 is then assigned, encouraging safer driving practices and potentially reducing insurance costs for responsible drivers.
• Interior radar system: Volvo has introduced a world-first radar system designed to detect even the slightest movements within a vehicle’s interior. This innovative occupant sensing system will alert the driver if a young child or pet has accidentally been left behind, potentially preventing hot-car tragedies. Initially available in Volvo’s new EX90 flagship SUV, this technology is expected to be integrated into future models as well.

These five safety features represent just a glimpse of the numerous advancements in car safety.

However, it is important to remember that these systems do not make your car impervious to accidents. It is crucial to drive responsibly and not exceed the limits set by these technologies. By utilising these safety features effectively and driving within their intended parameters, you can greatly reduce the risks you and your loved ones face on the road.

Source: Nikki Chennells