To reduce driving risks – in normal driving situations and emergencies – technology can play an important role. Electronic devices fitted on board vehicles help to raise safety levels: studies and statistics on road accidents confirm this.
Let's start with an important distinction. Safety devices are “active” or “passive”. The former aim to prevent road accidents, while the latter reduce the consequences of impact for passengers. Active safety systems include ABS, TCS, and ESP. The most well-known passive safety devices are seat belts and airbags.
With the ultimate goal of "zero road fatalities" by 2050, the European Commission has set a series of intermediate steps that include, among other things, an increase in active safety technology equipment. From 2022, in fact, the presence of certain ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) will be mandatory on newly type-approved vehicles – i.e., new designs. From 2024, this obligation will then be extended to all vehicles.
Among the devices to be fitted as standard on cars, vans, trucks, and buses, some are already very common, while others are currently only found on "top-of-the-range" models. Among these, the main ones are:
- – Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- – Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)
- – Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- – Driver Drowsiness and Attention Monitoring
- – Event Data Recorder (EDR)
- – Pedestrian and Cyclist Collision Warning
- – Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation
This is undoubtedly a big step forward, but beware! Relying completely on safety systems is a serious mistake. The devices do not drive the car for us but assist us in dangerous situations. For them to work best, the driver must be technically prepared and aware of what is happening while driving.
