Top 5 Car Safety Features

Author: carazoo.com

Since the introduction of cars various car safety features have been built into cars for the safety of drivers as well as other car passengers. Gradually, as the number of new cars are rushing in, the rate of accidents and road fatalities are increasing on Indian roads. The key factors contributing to the increased rate of accident are rash driving, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, driving while fatigued, and encounters with road hazards like bumps, potholes, and other objects.


Here are the top 5 car safety features that prevent accidents and also reduce the impact of accident on human health.


Airbags


Airbags are one of the recent addition in the list of car safety features. These are mainly positioned in the centre of the steering wheel and above the glove box on the passenger side. These are associated with crash sensors that get inflated in case of an accident.


Once the car meets an accident, in about 15 to 20 milliseconds the crash sensors decide whether the airbgas are to be deployed or not and then within 25 seconds they start inflating rapidly. In only 45 milliseconds the airbags get completely inflated and disperse the impact energy in case of an accident.


The key function of the airbgas is that it acts as a barrier between the car passenger and the hard surfaces of the car's interior. It is believed that the frontal impact is reduced by about 30% with the airbags fitted on the steering wheel. Earlier, only frontal airbags were introduced but these days the number of airbags fitted in new cars are gradually increasing to ensure maximum safety for all the passengers.


Anti-lock Brakes


Anti-lock brakes (ABS) is one of the most significant armoury against road trauma. It prevents wheel lock up and eventually prevents skidding especially on wet roads. ABS helps reduce loss of traction in case of an emergency and also increases driver's ability to steer the car.


The system works based upon sensors controlled by a computer. The sensors sense out when the wheels are about to lock up and just before that it automatically reduces the speed of the wheel by releasing pressure on the brake. The applied pressure gradually brings the wheel to stop without experiencing any lock up. ABS is some of the new cars are also equipped with electronic brakeforce distribution that releases right amount of stopping power to wheels and improves performance on wet roads.


Adaptive Cruise Control


Adaptive cruise control is a technologically advanced version of the conventional cruise control system. It helps the driver to maintain the car speed in accordance to the traffic situations. It also helps the driver to maintain a pre-set distance behind the vehicle ahead by using the throttle and brakes. If in case the driver increases the car's speed, it automatically reduces the engine performance until a safe gap with other vehicles is restored.


Some of the potential advantages of adaptive cruise control are to reduce accident rate, reduce driver's fatigue, and also increase fuel efficiency.


Electronic Stability Control


Electronic stability control (ESC) is a computerized technology that improves car safety by detecting and preventing car skid. This innovative safety technology uses sensors that monitor the steering manoeuvre in accordance to the direction of the car. If there is any kind of discrepancy between the steering input and the direction of the car, the ESC automatically actuate brakes or reduce engine performance so that the driver can stay in control of his car.


Active Head Restraints


Active head restrains play its role when the car is struck from the rear. In such a case it causes a sudden movement of the occupant's back against the seat. It consists of a pressure plate and a pivot system in the seat back properly positioned behind your head. In case of an accident when the body of the passenger moves into the seat back it directly contacts the pressure plate and triggers the active head restraint. This provides a constant support for the head.

About the Author:

Carazoo.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/top-5-car-safety-features-772476.html

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for mentioning all these safety features that adds more security to the car and also helps in lowering the cost of insurance policy. I have read that adding a safety mechanisms lowers the policy premium as it reduces the accident rate, theft rate and many more risks resulting into less insurance claims.
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