Osborne 1
Danielle Osborne
Associate Professor Barnes
ENG 1201-515
25 November 2020
Automobile Safety Features
The implementation of various advanced driver assistance systems has been implemented
into automobiles to help reduce crashes. Having advanced driver assistance systems may
increase safety in cars. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure
warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning systems reduce crashes or injuries
from crashes (Benson). People need to understand how these functions operate (Johnson).
People need to be informed about technologies that can help to improve safety (NHTSA).
Seatbelts are the most effective technology in passenger safety (NHTSA). Automobiles' safety
has improved throughout the years (Lemov).
The use of advanced technology such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency
braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning systems in
vehicles leave drivers and passengers feeling more secure (Benson). If installed on all vehicles,
the potential would have helped prevent or mitigate roughly 40% of all crashes involving
passenger vehicles, and 37% of all injuries, and 29% of all fatalities in crashes (Johnson).
Advanced technology will prevent crashes caused by human error with the potential for
reductions in road traffic injuries (Subit). Safety features keep drivers and passengers safe, but
they keep other drivers and pedestrians safe as well (NHTSA). The inclusion of advanced
technology will help reduce the number of car crashes while other in-car safety devices are still
being introduced (Vadeby).
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Other results show that drivers report that they drive even more carelessly when they
believe that they have safety features installed than when they do not with men being riskier than
women or young drivers (Vadeby). While there are some vehicles with these advanced
technologies, to ensure everyone’s safety, all vehicles need to be equipped with the advances
(Benson). While these safety features will help, it is important that automakers and others play a
greater role in educating motorists about the technology available so they know how to use it
appropriately (Johnson). With advanced technologies, customers need to receive information
regarding updates (NHTSA). There is a risk that the safety systems designed for human-driven
vehicles may be ineffective in vehicles equipped with safety features (Subit).
Overall, research has shown both positive and negative views on having safety features
installed on vehicles. So, how has technology improved automobile safety? Having forward
collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping
assistance, and blind-spot warning system will help to reduce the crashes involving passenger
vehicles and injuries and fatalities (Benson). However, not being educated on the proper use of
these features could result in crashes, injuries, and fatalities (Johnson). With the continuation of
improvements, technology will continue developing safety features that will affect the safety of
automobiles. The sources wrote the research articles for people who are looking to purchase a
vehicle with safety in mind. They also want to show that buyers need to know the proper use of
the features. The sources chosen are reliable due to sources cited, author, and date published.
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Works Cited:
Benson, Aaron. “Potential Reduction in Crashes, Injuries, and Deaths from Large-Scale
Deployment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.” AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety, AAA, Sept. 2018, [Link]/potential-reduction-in-crashes-injuries-and-
deaths-from-large-scale-deployment-of-advanced-driver-assistance-systems/. Assessed
10 Oct. 2010.
Johnson, Tamra. “Drivers Rely Too Heavily on New Vehicle Safety Technologies in Spite of
Limitations.” AAA Newsroom, AAA, 26 Sept. 2018, [Link]/2018/09/drivers-
rely-heavily-new-vehicle-safety-technologies/. Assessed 10 Oct. 2020.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Driver Assistance Technologies.” National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2016,
[Link]/equipment/driver-assistance-technologies#:~:text=FCW%20systems
%20use%20sensors%20to,to%20prevent%20a%20potential%20crash. Assessed 11
October 2020.
Subit, Damien, et al. “Will Automated Driving Technologies Make Today's Effective Restraint
Systems Obsolete?” American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health
Association, Oct. 2017, [Link]/pmc/articles/PMC5607685/.
Vadeby, Anna. “Car Drivers’ Perceptions of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Systems.”
Accident Analysis and Prevention, vol. 43, no. 3, May 2011, pp. 706-13.
EBSCOhost,[Link]/login?url+[Link]
direct+tru&db+edsswe&AN=[Link].7113&site+eds-live. Assessed 12
Oct. 2020.