Let's talk car safety tech

As motorists, we expect our cars to provide a decent level of safety. Whilst all cars legally need to meet strict safety standards, the way that technology is evolving means that drivers can benefit from extra, clever features. These are designed to assist in keeping journeys as safe as possible.

So effective is this technology that it’s now taken into account as part of tests carried out by Euro NCAP, the independent body that rates car safety for consumers. 4 and 5 star rated vehicles will have crash avoidance technology installed that is robust and effective in preventing collisions out on the roads. 

So what are the common safety technologies built into modern cars? 

Blind spot monitoring 

Using external sensors, blind spot monitoring does just that - it keeps an eye on the space that’s difficult for drivers to see in their mirrors. It will alert the driver if a car is in that blind spot, as their presence can increase the risk of a collision if you were to try and change lanes or overtake. 

Lane Departure Monitoring

This feature is designed to prevent you from drifting, and make you therefore less likely to be involved in a collision as a result. It works by detecting lane markers, and as soon as your tyre makes contact with one, it will either beep or flash a light on the corresponding side of the vehicle.

Reversing camera 

This feature has become pretty standard on modern vehicles, and for good reason - it’s exceptionally handy when it comes to parking! As it says on the tin, it allows you to see the area behind you whilst you’re backing up, providing increased visibility behind you, and reducing the amount you need to move your head in order to make reversing safe. 

Adaptive cruise control 

Cruise control can really come into its own on long journeys, and adaptive cruise control takes it one step further by monitoring more of the journey. Using sensors, lasers and/or cameras, the system monitors the traffic around the vehicle, and adjusts the cruise control settings to suit. 

Forward collision detection

This is safety technology in its raw form - a sensor that detects obstacles in front of the vehicle and alerts the driver to brake as a matter of urgency. This feature can also go hand in hand with Autonomous Emergency Braking, which will do the braking for you in the event of an imminent crash.