We all take the brakes in our car for granted. We expect them to work perfectly, especially if we need them in an emergency. So it’s no surprise that they’re a part of the vehicle that’s overworked – the average driver uses their brakes an estimated 75,000 times a year.
Advances in technology through the years have helped to reduce fatal accidents.
These innovations include:
- Cameras to aid in parking and estimate the distance between you and the car behind and in front of you – this technology is becoming more common in cars
- Alarms to remind us to put on our seatbelts
- Seat belts became mandatory and resulted in a 50 per cent overall reduction in the number of drivers per 100 vehicles being admitted to hospital.
- Better tires – these now provide grip levels, especially in wet weather, and puncture resistance
- ABS brakes, which prevent wheel lockup under heavy braking and allow you to maintain steering control. Many new cars also have traction control (which prevents wheel spin under acceleration), emergency full power assist (which automatically ramps up the brakes’ servo assistance beyond a certain pedal pressure), and electronic stability control.
- Some ABS systems also regulate the braking force between the front and rear axles.
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) software is now mandatory on cars and light vans.
What do you think has been the number one development in preventing road accidents?
Brought to you by AXA Car Insurance Ireland