5 Technologies That Are Making Driving Safer
When most of us think about the merging of driving and technology, we probably envision built-in cameras, smart phones and GPS devices that can easily cause drivers to become distracted and less safe behind the wheel. Of course, all of that is true and you should always avoid those types of distractions, but technology is not necessarily the enemy of safe driving. In fact, there are several new technologies that can go a long way towards making you a safer driver.
The first form of technology that true road warriors should know about is the drowsiness video sensor. For those who are accustomed to long road trips or driving late at night after a long day at work, this device has a sensor that can detect signs of drowsiness on your face. If the dashboard monitor thinks that you're close to drifting off to sleep, it will make either noises or tug on your seat belt to help you stay awake. It will even advise you to pull over if it's unsafe for you to be driving.
Another fantastic technology developed for cars in recent years has been the blind-spot alert. These days roads get so congested that it's common for other vehicles to be hiding out in your blind spot without you realizing it. But with special sensors already accompanying most newer models, you'll be warned when another car is in your blind spot.
Brake assistance is yet another relatively new technology that has become incredibly popular in newer makes and models. Studies show that drivers not braking quickly enough is a significant factor in car accidents. That's now less of a concern as new modern-day advances allow radars and cameras to recognize panic-braking situations. On such occasions, the full braking force of the car automatically kicks in, literally doing everything in the car's power to stop in time and prevent an accident.
If you're a driver who can't seem to put away all the technological distractions on your own volition, phone suppression technology is a must. There are a variety of devices for you to choose, but if you're easily distracted, you have to pick up one of them. Most of them have the power to screen incoming calls and text messages, and may even let you know who is calling so you don't have to look at your phone and take your eyes off the road. Some of the phone suppression systems will even send a reply text automatically to inform the other person that you're currently driving, which is a great way to prevent you from the unsafe practice of texting and driving.
Finally, there's a way that technology can force you to become a better driver. There are gadgets that can be installed in your car that will monitor your driving habits in terms of breaking and acceleration, as well the time of day that you drive. This data gets evaluated and can actually be used to give you a discount on your car insurance. The device can't be used to increase your car insurance, so there's no downside to using the device; it simply gives you an incentive to be a safer driver.