Continuing on from edition 411, we are explaining about the advance driver assistance systems that car manufactures are creating to help avoid accidents or to reduce the severity.

Autonomous Emergency Braking
Radar and/or forward looking cameras - mounted behind the rear view mirror or front grill - can be used to detect other vehicles, obstacles or even pedestrians. Systems may initially provide some warning to the driver of a possible collision and if necessary automatically apply pre-crash braking to reduce the severity of impact if the system determines a crash is inevitable.
At lower speeds such as in an urban environment it may be possible for the car to brake automatically to a standstill and completely prevent the crash. Emergency braking/collision mitigation systems may also make adjustments inside the vehicle to prepare for the possibility of a crash.  
You may also come across systems that are able to change the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle - stiffen up suspension and adjust steering rate for example - to increase the chances of the driver being able to successfully make an evasive manoeuvre.  
Cameras
Ultrasonic rear parking sensors that bleep faster and louder the nearer you get to a wall and rearward looking cameras to help you reverse are both quite common on new cars. Some car manufacturers are fitting side-view cameras - as you edge the front of the car out of a junction, cameras mounted on the wing or ends of the bumper give you a clear view up and down the road even if your own line-of-sight is obscured.  
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control allows the car to take action - by braking individual wheels - when it senses the onset of a slide. This sort of braking is particularly effective in cutting skidding, and keeping the car heading in the direction that the driver is intending.  
Drowsiness warning / Alertness sensing
When a driver gets tired, the way they control the car changes. Changes are subtle but sensors monitoring speed, steering input, position on the road, use of major and minor controls etc. can detect the onset of drowsiness and warn the driver that it may be time to take a break.

Tenerife News 412