Not just for luxury cars: learn about technologies that prevent traffic accidents

Safety features that a few years ago were only available in luxury cars are now standard in all models produced in Brazil. Air bags and anti-brake system (ABS), are mandatory even since 2014. Stability control is also part of all models produced in the country since January last year.

Currently, it is possible to find equipment – including mandatory ones – that can help drivers reduce accidents. Of course, the driver must be responsible for checking the signs and not exceeding the limits. However, excessive attention or lack of attention can be avoided with the use of technology.

Among the additional features are programmable radars, automatic braking systems, collision alerts, blind spot sensors, reversing cameras and GPS that shares real-time information about accidents, traffic conditions and signs. All these helpers help prevent collisions and runaways.

Even using apps like Waze or Google Maps can help. Because they show, for example, that there is an accident on the way. And so the driver can deviate from the path or slow down. The same goes for flooding.

Other systems work immediately. And the products are not limited to very expensive products, they are present in high-end car versions, such as Chevrolet Onix, Hyundai HB20 and Volkswagen Polo. In the first two, for example, the driver can rely on the attention of the blind.

Therefore, some areas that are not covered by mirrors are monitored by sensors. When they detect objects or other vehicles – from bicycles to trucks – they issue a warning. It can be loud and/or light.

In the Polo, Volkswagen installed a system that recognizes if the driver is tired. It works by checking the driving conditions at the beginning of the trip. It monitors the angle of the steering wheel, the pressure applied to the pedal and the lateral and longitudinal speed of the vehicle.

Along the way, it compares all these parameters with those at the beginning of the trip, and evaluates whether it will “recommend a break” for the driver. Which may be a warning on the instrument panel and/or an audible signal. The symbol is very playful: a good cup of coffee.

The Hyundai HB20 still has features such as collision avoidance system, lane departure warning and tire monitoring. The automatic stop and warning system detects pedestrians and other vehicles in front of them and, if there is a risk of collision, provides an audible warning. If there is no driver intervention, it activates the brakes automatically. At speeds of up to 50 km/h, the feature brings the vehicle to a complete stop before an accident.

Lane change alert monitors lanes on the road. If the vehicle leaves its trajectory without a sign of a change of direction, the system warns the driver by means of a light on the instrument panel and an audible warning. Even when there is not enough mapping of lanes, tracking manages to “understand” the correct trajectory and remains efficient.

adaptive autopilot
Autopilot, the software that keeps the car at a constant speed, is outdated. It was created by Chrysler in 1958. The first car produced in Brazil with this feature was the Chevrolet Omega in 1993. Adaptive cruise control, or ACC (for cruise control), is an evolution of cruise control.

ACC is the basis of autonomous driving systems. Using sensors or radar, it automatically accelerates or decelerates the vehicle to maintain the selected speed according to the flow of traffic, without the need for driver intervention.

So, if you have chosen to drive at 80 km/h on Avenida Paralela and find a car traveling at 70 km/h on the same lane, your car will automatically slow down. After exceeding, it will accelerate until it returns to the preset speed.

Honda Civic, the most available Honda model in the country, has this system.

Yellow May
These items favor life in traffic, prevent and reduce accidents. Also, this month, the Yellow May campaign is taking place, an international movement that aims to raise awareness of the importance of traffic safety.

With the theme “In traffic, choose life”, this year’s agenda focuses more on the choices made while driving. Statistics from the Federal Highway Police show that 77% of the accidents that occurred in the first quarter of this year were caused by bad decisions at the wheel, such as overtaking and speeding.