5 Key Safety Features in Cars for Driving on Dangerous Roads

Road safety and automotive innovation are a few of the driving trends in the world around us. Outdated vehicles and dangerous highways are leading to unprecedented death rates on American roads. Poorly maintained roads not only contribute to accidents but also exacerbate the risks associated with older vehicles, making it harder for drivers to maintain control and avoid hazards. Rural and bucolic roadways in America account for nearly 40% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. According to State Farm, 85,002 people died on rural roads between 2016 and 2020.

Rural roads are dangerous for several reasons:

Higher speed limits lead to severe collisions on two-lane, curved roads.
Rough, uneven surfaces are common on rural highways. Wet and icy roads mean longer stopping distances.
Blind curves, steep inclines, and unmarked entrances are road hazards most drivers are unfamiliar with.
Poor lighting, no guardrails, potholes, and narrow shoulders are dangerous at night.

Safety advancements in the cars and trucks we drive are profoundly improving serious crashes and injury risks. Kelly Blue Book says that the advanced car safety features have reduced these risks by up to 53%.

The advanced systems described below began life in the early 1970s with an eye on future autonomous driving technologies. Advanced driver assist systems are now standard equipment on most new cars, and depending on the features, almost 200 sensors are used in modern vehicles.

Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS)

ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) provides robust predictive braking, lane-departure assistance, and adaptive cruise control technologies based on traffic conditions and the distance ahead. ADAS components work in concert, providing unprecedented safety for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

ADAS is a suite of sensor technologies, computer imaging, Lidar, Radar, and cameras embedded in the vehicle that provides next-gen safety features. ADAS currently has six levels of autonomous driving technologies. The Mercedes Benz EQS is one of only a few models licensed for Level 3 ADAS.

The EQS provides advanced acceleration, braking, and steering. The brand boasts exceptional levels of autonomous driving technologies. Mercedes-Benz has made considerable breakthroughs in the following:

LIDAR- Laser technology precisely scans the road ahead for obstructions.
Road Wetness Sensor – Measures water levels on the road down to a teaspoon.
Redundancy – Enables safer control of steering and acceleration, leading to a safety-focused approach.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)

Engineers worked on the problem of wheel lock-up during a hard braking maneuver as early as the 1920s. By 1978, the first production car to implement integrated anti-lock brakes was the Mercedes Benz 116. All cars produced after 2012 in the United States are required to have ABS.

When a driver applies the brakes hard while driving at high speed, the wheels quickly lock up, and at this point, the driver is unable to steer. ABS takes over with sensors attached to each wheel and detects when the wheel is spinning too fast. With ABS, when this condition occurs, the vehicle’s CPU sends signals to the brake calipers to apply and release pressure quickly and control it, thus keeping the wheels from locking up and giving the driver the ability to steer.

The advantages of ABS systems are most prominent when a driver is on wet and slippery roads. ABS provides much better traction control to prevent skidding and sliding on wet surfaces.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Millions of new and inexperienced drivers have not learned the intricacies of handling a vehicle with precision on icy and wet highways. Drivers use too much understeer and oversteer to compensate, resulting in a loss of traction and cornering ability. ESC is the mechanism that helps to improve stability in all driving conditions.

ESC evaluates data from sensors located around the vehicle and detects loss of control and steering ability, skidding, and other control problems. The system then makes the proper throttle and brake adjustments to bring the vehicle back under control.

According to the NHTSA, Electronic Stability Systems have reduced the involvement in single-vehicle crashes by a staggering 41%.

Traction Control System (TCS)

TCS systems were added to luxury brands in the 70s, but the rollout was muted due to technological limitations. However, TCS is now a critical component of ADAS.

Traction Control stabilizes a vehicle when one wheel loses traction; it is often secondary to Electronic Control Systems. When a wheel loses its grip in snow, ice, or a wet road, the TCS utilizes sensors to automatically apply brake pressure to that wheel while reducing engine power. Traction in the other wheels remains constant, stabilizing the vehicle.

Traction Control Systems should be used with care and as a secondary function. TCS doesn’t work well in snow, mud, or sand, and the appropriate snow tires should be used. In certain instances, the TCS will slow down the tire, preventing traction.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Properly inflated tires provide a host of benefits, such as a smoother ride, better fuel efficiency, and even tread wear. Tire pressure monitoring is an embedded ADAS component that most drivers do not comprehend its value.

TPMS measures the air pressure inside a pneumatic tire and reports its information in real time using either a dashboard pictogram or a warning gauge. There are two types of TPMS measuring:

Direct TPMS uses sensors inside each tire and communicates directly with the vehicle’s computer system.
Indirect TPMS uses a software application that leverages existing wheel and traction sensors.

Maintaining the correct tire pressure reduces tread and sidewall failure while lowering the chance of a blowout or flat tire. It is a known fact that underinflated tires decrease mileage rates by up to 3% in some cases. For tires that have seen significant wear, a skilled technician specializing in tire retreading can extend their lifespan, providing a cost-effective solution while ensuring safety on the road.

The Benefits of Car Safety Features

The future of the Advanced Driver Assist System is fast approaching with an enhanced motoring experience and ultimate safety. Anti-lock braking systems will evolve into an all-wheel drive platform with unique hardened materials for better performance. The demand for ESC systems is expected to skyrocket, with improved handling in all weather conditions and integration with braking systems.

Traction control platforms will feature highly individualized settings, making the ride and safety exemplary. TCS is expected to be heavily integrated into electric vehicles featuring regenerative braking. Tire pressure monitoring will be built directly into the tire itself with its own processing unit and Bluetooth communication.

Smart cars and their technologies are here now, and the automotive industry is beyond exciting.
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