The vehicle manufacturing industry has consistently improved the quality and features most modern cars are equipped with. Collision avoidance system cars are some of the latest innovations of the industry.
The rate of road accidents in some regions globally is alarming, especially during periods of festivals when the roads are usually packed full with vehicles, resulting in traffic. The need to ensure a high level of safety cannot be overemphasized.
A collision avoidance system has been designed to help minimize the rate of road accidents, especially front-to-rear collisions. This system is uniquely designed, and its impact is so remarkable. Let’s find out how it works.
Read Also: How To Disable Onguard Collision Safety System?
How Does A Collision Avoidance System Work?
A collision avoidance system is an advanced driver-assistance safety system that helps prevent or minimize collisions (especially front-to-rear). It is also known as a forward-collision warning system, pre-crash system, or collision mitigation system.
The collision avoidance system works in a way such that it detects the speed of the vehicle itself and detects the speed of the car in front, as well as the distance between them.
Once this is ascertained, the vehicle collision warning light triggers ON due to the closeness of both vehicles.
This signal is expected to enable the driver to detect an imminent collision with the car in front so that the necessary measures required to prevent such collision are taken as soon as possible.
The driver is expected to apply the brakes to reduce the vehicle’s speed to avoid its closeness with the car in front or divert from behind the vehicle if the driver intends to overtake.
Types Of Collision Avoidance Systems?
There are a couple of collision avoidance systems fitted in most modern cars to enable them to prevent accidents. If you are asking, “what are parts of the vehicle’s crash avoidance system?” Some of the collision avoidance systems include:
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is designed with a laser system, radar, or both devices. They measure the distance between the ACC-equipped car and any car in front, on the road.
When the system discovers that the vehicle’s speed in front is slower than expected, it automatically adjusts the ACC-equipped car to maintain a minimum distance that helps prevent an unexpected front-to-rear collision.
Forward Collision Warning System
The forward collision system works almost like adaptive cruise control. However, it works with audible and visual warning signals. The system detects the speed of the vehicle it is fitted in and the vehicle’s speed ahead to determine their closeness.
If both vehicles are too close, the warning signs will be triggered. When this occurs, the warning reads from “safe” to “critical,” which indicates an imminent collision.
Reverse Collision Warning System
This system is equipped behind a vehicle in the bumper. It works through a sensor on the rear bumper, which detects the closeness of the car and any object behind it. The audible and visual warning signals help to guard against a collision.
Lane Departure Warning System
The lane departure or lane-keeping system helps to detect when a driver is veering off the expected lane. The system’s activation/deactivation is linked to a button with a symbol of a car veering off the road.
Once the system detects a slight shift out of the vehicle’s lane, the system will trigger the warning signal to caution the driver.
Collision Mitigation by braking
The collision mitigation by braking works in such a way that the system detects obstacles that can possibly cause accidents on the road and applies the brake accordingly to prevent an imminent accident.
Collision Avoidance Systems Features
Collision avoidance systems have unique features that help to prevent collisions and other accidents. Some of these features include;
- Adaptive headlights
- Auto-braking
- Blind-spot detection
- Back-up parking assistance
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane departure prevention
Pros Of Collision Avoidance Systems
Advantages of collision avoidance system include the following:
- Easy detection of vehicle speed.
- Reduction of high speed when vehicles are too close.
- Cautions the driver when the car is veering off its lane.
- Applies the car’s brakes when there are perceived road obstacles.
- Minimizes front-to-rear collision and other accidents.
- Reduces car crash death rates.
Cons Of Collision Avoidance Systems
Disadvantages of collision avoidance system include the following:
- Inconsistency in operation.
- Difficulty in detecting objects due to weather conditions (snow, rain, or sun).
- Defective sensors will not work well.
- Drivers may be too relaxed due to overconfidence.
Irrespective of the disadvantages of collision avoidance or a warning system in a car, the benefits of this feature cannot be over-emphasized. It would be best to have the system in a car, instead of trying to manage safety with the rigor of driving.
FAQS:
Q: What cars have collision warning systems?
Most modern cars are fitted with automatic collision warning systems to help the driver ensure safety. If you are asking which car has the best collision avoidance system, you may want to consider the following vehicles designed with the collision warning systems:
2020 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid, Toyota Prius, 2015 Acura TLX, Mazda3, Chrysler 200, 2020 Tesla Model 3, 2020 Nissan Altima, 2020 Mercedes Benz E-Class, 2020 Audi A8, 2020 Honda Accord, 2020 Volvo S90, 2016 Chevrolet Spark, 2020 Lexus LS, Genesis G80, 2020 Subaru Outback, etc.
Cars with collision warning systems detect vehicles ahead of them through the help of the inbuilt system. Once this occurs, a green icon displays immediately to signal the driver about an imminent collision to ensure that it is avoided.
If you can’t afford these modern cars in their brand new ones, you may want to consider used vehicles with collision avoidance systems. In any case, what matters is the safety feature. Also, note that there are SUVs with collision avoidance systems.
Q: What are the different stages of collision avoidance system?
There are basically three (3) stages or elements of a collision-avoidance system; they include the following:
Understanding each vehicle’s movement
Before a collision risk occurs, vehicles equipped with collision avoidance systems will necessarily study and understand the movement of the cars around them. They study and understand those in front or behind.
Unifying vehicle collision avoidance strategies
At the point of a collision risk, the collision avoidance system will unify the strategies with which to avoid the imminent collision for safety.
Taking coordinated maneuvering actions
At the point of immediate danger, the collision avoidance system promptly takes a maneuvering action in a coordinated way that helps to prevent an imminent collision.
Q: Is forward-collision warning worth it?
Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) state that front-to-rear collisions involving injuries are reduced by 27% due to forward collision warning systems in cars.
When this statistic on front-to-rear collision combines with the rate at which automatic braking systems also prevent accidents with injuries, the rate stands at 56%.
Forward collision warning is very vital in vehicles, especially for people who ply the road often. In all cases, collision avoidance systems are worth it, especially the front collision warning system.
Q: How is collision controlled?
The collision avoidance system controls an imminent collision by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, the speed of the car ahead (in front) of it, and the distance between them.
After studying these factors, the collision avoidance system triggers the warning light to display when it discovers that both vehicles are too close.
The collision avoidance system helps to control an imminent collision for the safety of the drivers and passengers of both cars, especially the car that is equipped with this system.
This is a remarkable feature of the modern car. If your vehicle doesn’t have this feature, you may want to check out for aftermarket collision avoidance system.
Q: Why is my collision light on?
A car’s collision light is expected to illuminate when there is a perceived imminent collision with another vehicle on the road. However, the light may illuminate at odd times, even when the car is not close to any other vehicle.
When a car’s collision light turns on and remains that way, it is a sign that there is a problem with the collision avoidance system. Once this occurs, it would be best to consult an expert mechanic or any authorized service center to fix the issue as soon as possible.
Final Words
Safety is a non-negotiable part of driving; hence, it is essential to ensure that all safety measures and systems are in place when driving.
Collision avoidance system cars are some of the best cars you can think of owning because of their abilities to signal the driver about imminent accidents (collision).
Endeavor to find out whether this feature is included in your car. Otherwise, you may want to consider buying any of the 2021 cars with a collision-avoidance system.
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