Statistics show that you are more far more likely to be in a car crash than to be hit by lightning or be the victim of a crime. Alas, you are also more likely to get into a car accident than win the lottery. Just ask your local Walden NY insurance agent.
Given that the risk may be as high as 1 in 4 according to some estimate for being involved in such an unfortunate event, it makes sense to take all reasonable measures lower your risk. These measures can include both HOW you drive, e.g., defensive driving, not drinking and driving, and WHAT you drive, e.g., choosing a safer car.
The good news is that automotive manufacturers continue to roll out features that offer the public safer driving options. New technologies continue to be devised that reduce the chances of an accident occurring as well as the likelihood of serious injuries or deaths if an accident should happen.
If you haven’t driven a relatively new car lately, you may be surprised to discover how things are changing for the better. Here are 5 of the top 10 auto safety features as highlighted by Edmunds.com, a site well known by savvy car buyers. (Watch for the remaining 5 new safety features in an upcoming post.) These new technologies not only might save your life, but they may also save you money if you ask your Poughkeepsie NY insurance
brokers.
1. Tire-pressure monitoring. The NSTA required this to be installed of all US passenger cars as of the 2008 model year. It works via sensors at the wheels that alert the driver when the tire air pressure is too low. Some cars, e.g., the Corvette, come with run-flat tires that allow driving another 50 miles at fairly high speed before attention is needed.
2. Adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation
Remember when cruise control just maintained your car at a constant speed, regardless of conditions, creating potential dangers? Now sensors and radar allow automatic adjustments of the throttle and brakes to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, including those irksome drivers who swerve in front of you. Manual overrides still function of course.
Remember when cruise control just maintained your car at a constant speed, regardless of conditions, creating potential dangers? Now sensors and radar allow automatic adjustments of the throttle and brakes to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, including those irksome drivers who swerve in front of you. Manual overrides still function of course.
3. Blind-spot detection/side assist/collision warning
Sometimes it could be useful to have eyes in the back of your head, or even antennae, especially when parking. This short-distance radar technology will alert you when a car or other object moves into your blind spot. Some even flash a light in your review mirror or cause the seat or steering wheel to vibrate or sound an alarm when appropriate.
Sometimes it could be useful to have eyes in the back of your head, or even antennae, especially when parking. This short-distance radar technology will alert you when a car or other object moves into your blind spot. Some even flash a light in your review mirror or cause the seat or steering wheel to vibrate or sound an alarm when appropriate.
4. Lane-departure warning/wake-you-up safety
Similar to the above, but with a longer reach, this evaluates an oncoming vehicle’s speed and distance to alert you to possible danger in changing lanes. It can also warn you if you wander out of your lane, e.g., if you get distracted or even drowsy. Future improvements are likely to include posture detectors that will activate alarms to wake up sleepy drivers and even slow down the car.
Similar to the above, but with a longer reach, this evaluates an oncoming vehicle’s speed and distance to alert you to possible danger in changing lanes. It can also warn you if you wander out of your lane, e.g., if you get distracted or even drowsy. Future improvements are likely to include posture detectors that will activate alarms to wake up sleepy drivers and even slow down the car.
5. Rollover prevention/mitigation
The current systems offered include electronic stability controls, and even preparation systems (which tighten seatbelts and extend rollbars). The new system is even more intelligent as it will sense a potential rollover (e.g., if you take a corner too fast) and apply the brakes and modulate the throttle to help keep control. Each manufacturer has its own name, e.g., “Proactive Roll Avoidance” by GE and “Roll-Over Protection System” by Volvo.
The current systems offered include electronic stability controls, and even preparation systems (which tighten seatbelts and extend rollbars). The new system is even more intelligent as it will sense a potential rollover (e.g., if you take a corner too fast) and apply the brakes and modulate the throttle to help keep control. Each manufacturer has its own name, e.g., “Proactive Roll Avoidance” by GE and “Roll-Over Protection System” by Volvo.
While all of these emerging technologies make car travel safer, accidents still happen. In such cases you will want to have the appropriate insurance. Savvy consumers know how to buy safer cars—and how those safety features can lead to even bigger discounts on insurance from
Albany NY insurance professionals.
No comments:
Post a Comment