Car manufacturers are using new technologies designed to detect driver behavior, road and weather conditions and more in order to promote safety on our roadways. The following is a list of new gadgets and features that save lives:

• Intelligent Airbag Systems: All manufacturers were required to implement air bags in all cars produced after April 1, 1989, however the airbags proved to be dangerous due to their size and pressure. New technologies have been able to detect differences in driver and passenger weight, height and width in order to deploy airbags in a way that won’t pose a threat during an accident.
• Rollover Prevention: Dynamic sensors are used to read information about the vehicle’s lateral and radial movement as well as balance. The computer system takes appropriate action if uncontrollable movement is sensed, to ensure that the vehicle does not roll.
• Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Systems (FCS): These are new technologies that force a car to slow down if it gets too close to a vehicle or object in front of it.
• Electronic Stability Control: This software is required in all new vehicles. It works with a hydraulic control unit, steering angle sensors, wheel speed sensors and other monitoring systems to determine if a car is over-steering or under-steering. If the software determines that the vehicle is experiencing one of those conditions it will apply brake pressure at the necessary wheels to correct the behavior.
• Nodding Off Alarms: Also known as the Attention Assist System introduced in 2009, these alarms analyze driving behavior and go off if drowsiness is sensed. Another technology used for this purpose is the lane departure warning system. As a driver begins to drift out of their lane the system will either sound an alarm or flash a light to make the driver aware of their positioning.
• Blind Spot Detection: This warns drivers when a car or other object is in their blind spot while driving or parking. Volvo and Ford models currently use this new technology.
• Night Vision: Thermal-imaging is used to help drivers see further in order to spot objects or curves in the road.
• Adaptive Headlights: These are currently being utilized to adjust with the vehicles’ position, steering wheel movement, speed and the lighting. Adaptive headlights have caused a 10% drop in overall accidents.
• Rear-view Cameras: Cameras allow drivers to see what is behind them, assisting with reversing and parallel parking.
• Accident Notification Systems and Emergency Response Systems: These systems detect accidents and perform actions to help the driver and any passengers to safety, such as turning on interior lights, unlocking doors, shutting off fuel and sometimes even alerting emergency services.