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Danielle Osborne

Associate Professor Barnes

ENG 1201-515

30 November 2020

Safety Features in Vehicles

Realizing that she had errands to run, she jumped into her car and headed out.  She

decided while out, why not stop and get the car washed?  As she left, the light turned red so she

stopped and waited.  The green arrow finally appeared and as she started to make her turn, she

was t-boned by a vehicle with a driver who was not paying attention.  The next thing she saw

was a white cloud which she later discovered were the airbags being deployed.  Following this,

she heard a voice asking if she was ok.  When taken out of the vehicle, she found herself in the

back of an ambulance heading to the closest hospital.  This is what happened to my mom on

Labor Day 2020.  My mom’s vehicle and the other vehicle had some safety features such as

airbags, seatbelts, and anti-lock brakes. 

Now, imagine a group of high school friends in 1960 dressed up and headed to a

Halloween party.  The driver ends up in a ditch after accidentally driving off the road. The

accident causes the passenger in the backseat to be hurled into the back of the front seat. When

the car stops, the passenger in the front seat dies due to the force of the passenger in the backseat.

In Car Safety Wars: One Hundred Years of Technology, Politics, and Death, Helen, the teenage

girl is being described. Others in the car survived the crash with little to no harm. The car

involved in the accident did not have the current safety features described in this essay (Lemov

2-3).  If safety features that are common in today’s cars were in the car with the teenage girl, she

could have survived just as my mom and the other driver did. Although there is some debate
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over the positive and negative effects these safety features have in automobile safety, it seems

that having safety features installed in automobiles and continuing to improve these features help

improve automobile safety.  However, drivers need to be knowledgeable of the features to use

them effectively.

Ralph Nader, an American author and lawyer, talked about the safety issues found in the

Chevrolet Corvair produced from 1960 to 1963 which he termed “inherent flaws” in his book,

Unsafe at Any Speed (Lemov 75).  At first, his views did not interest consumers, but eventually,

he was able to establish a following.  Because of Nader and his followers, laws were introduced

to increase the safety in vehicles which inevitably saved millions of lives (Lemov 95).  Laws

passed included mandatory installation of seatbelts and airbags in new models. As time passed,

more safety features were introduced such as features to enhance braking safety, warning of

collision, warning of lane changing, and helping with blind spots.  As technology is developed

and more safety features are added, vehicles will continue to become safer.

The seatbelt was one of the first safety features installed in vehicles.  The purpose of the

seatbelt is to keep passengers safely in their vehicle.  Seatbelts are now required in all vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has estimated that “seatbelts which

have the lap and shoulder strap and used correctly reduces the possibility of fatal injury of

passengers in the front seat by 45 percent and moderate to critical injury by 50 percent (NHTSA

“Occupant Protection” 4).  If seatbelts were not required, people would stand the risk of not

being restrained and possibly ejected from the vehicle resulting in their death. Seatbelts help to

reduce the risk due to restraining them inside the vehicle.  Because of the design of seatbelts,

people are knowledgeable of their use, but some still refuse to use seatbelts in their daily life.
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Figure 1. This is a crash test where the driver and passenger in the backseat are wearing a seatbelt. The passenger
behind the driver is not wearing a seatbelt. The driver and the other passenger are held in place, while the other is
thrown into the driver seat. This would likely cause severe injuries to that passenger as well as the driver (Dengate).

Airbags are another feature that has helped increase vehicle safety.  Airbags are a type of

restraint in which passengers do not have to take action to have them work. It looked like

airbags and other passive crash protection were on their way out, but the election of President

Jimmy Carter in 1976 saved the idea (Lemov 155).  This is one safety feature that does not

require a person to learn the proper use. The safety feature of airbags allows passengers to just

get in and go.  Passengers do not need to have any training on how to activate the airbags.  When

you combine front airbags and lap/shoulder belts, you are adding safety protections for a

passenger vehicle (NHTSA “Occupant Protection” 5).  Since the airbags are deployed during

higher-speed crashes, injuries from unnecessary deployment are prevented. In crashes where

seatbelts were not used, “deaths were prevented by 14 percent with the use of airbags, and in

crashes where seatbelts were used, deaths were prevented by 11 percent with the use of airbags”

(NHTSA “Occupant Protection” 5).  Considering how many people’s lives were saved from the
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use of seatbelts and airbags, two of the oldest safety features, modern safety features can save

potentially thousands more.  

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) “detects when a forward crash may happen and

will engage dynamic brake support or crash imminent braking that will possibly save lives and

lower the severity of rear-end accidents which are common” (NHTSA “Driver Assistance”).  The

use of AEB allows for fewer crashes due to the system stepping in to prevent it.  The AEB

system could prevent injuries when people are involved in a rear-end crash, which account for

about “33 percent of police-reported crashes, and crashes into pedestrians” (NHTSA “Driver

Assistance”).  Rear-end crashes are usually not too severe, but injuries could still happen, just as

pedestrians could be seriously injured, so having this feature could reduce the number of injuries

or fatalities.  For the AEB feature to be successful, drivers need to know how it works to reduce

injuries from collisions.

Forward collision warning (FCW), when combined with AEB, can prevent crashes. FCW

systems warn the driver that another car is approaching too quickly through the use of sensors

which detects the car’s speed and position (NHTSA “Driver Assistance”). A warning from the

FCW is received by the driver and will brake to prevent the collision should the diver not

respond (Benson 1).  The driver does not lose control of the vehicle even when the two systems

are combined, but if a situation occurs the AEB and FCW will respond.  This allows the driver to

still be aware of their surroundings and keep him focused, but also allows for some comfort level

when a driver panic.  FCW systems could have stopped approximately “75% of all rear-end

crashes, 79% of angle crashes, and 23% of single-vehicle crashes” (Benson 1-2).  With the use of

FCW being added to the vehicle’s safety features, the possibility of saving lives continues to

improve.  While the use of FCW and AEB may help stop front or rear-end crashes, there is still
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the possibility for crashes from merging into other vehicles. Even with these safety features, the

knowledge has to be there to use them effectively.

FCW and AEB are meant to reduce the number and how severe rear-end crashes are, and

has been shown to prevent approximately 75 percent of these types of accidents (Benson 1). This

means that only about 19 percent of accidents happened as a result of not having these safety

features.  Other safety features have rates that are similar.  Regardless of technological

advancements, crashes are inevitable.  It does not matter how much training and knowledge one

has; safety features can only do so much. Other circumstances cause crashes to happen. Because

of this, drivers need to realize that they have to rely on themselves when driving and not entirely

on safety features.

Safety features such as lane departure warning (LDW) and lane-keeping support (LKS) at

first glance appear to be more of a convenience for drivers. These features seem to assist drivers

in staying in the correct lanes.  LDW notices when a vehicle starts to drift into a different lane.

These features send an alert to the driver indicating that a correction needs to be made.  Should

the driver not make the correction, LKS takes control of the vehicle and brings the vehicle back

into the correct lane (NHTSA “Driver Assistance”).  These two safety features can be

particularly important for drivers when making long-distance trips.  A driver may get sleepy and

could drift from his or her lane which would endanger other drivers.  Lane assist systems could

prevent approximately “14% of accidents caused by single-vehicles, 75% of accidents head-on,

61% of accidents involving sideswipes when traveling in the same direction, and 66% of

accidents when traveling in the opposite direction” (Benson 2).  The use of these safety features

allow comfort for drivers but will ultimately save many lives due to drivers who fall asleep at the
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wheel.  To make sure the safety feature is used correctly, drivers need to be educated on how

these features work.

Blind spot detection (BSD) increases overall traffic safety in vehicles.  BSD allows the

driver to navigate roads safely by assisting drivers with lane changes, using sensors and cameras

to detect other cars in lanes next to them, which is dependent upon what type of vehicle the

system is installed in (NHTSA “Driver Assistance”).  Blind spots are a common hazard in

vehicles, so having a safety feature that will allow detection of vehicles would reduce crashes.

The use of BSD reduces the chance of crashes due to lane changes where BSD could prevent

approximately “24% of all accidents involving lane-changing. This would be 395,000 total

crashes with 393 fatal crashes” (Benson 3).  BSD has been viewed as a luxury item, but the use

of this safety feature has saved lives which proves it to be an important addition to safety

features.  But, with the knowledge of the feature, people may opt to have it included to ensure

their safety.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is used to help prevent losing control of your vehicle

when driving on winding roads and steep slopes. Drivers seem to take more chances in cars with

ESC because they begin to put their trust in the system which results in being overconfident

(Vadeby 707-708).  People may have a misunderstanding of how the safety features in a vehicle

work and may place too much trust in the features.  People may believe that the features were

developed for controlling the car instead of its original design to increase safety.  Many people

who look at features as driver conveniences should look at features such as cruise control and

parking assistance (Benson 1).  People tend to know the convenience features better because of

the promotion they receive as a safety feature.  People are less likely to think about airbags

because they are not seen in the car and work only during an emergency situation.  Having these
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convenience features may not increase safety, but having these features should not decrease

safety.  Drivers need to have knowledge of the use of the system features and what limitations

these features have.

Automated driving technologies (ADT) allows the driver to give up the ability to drive

the vehicle automation system. Although, the driver has given up control, the driver may still be

alert and have the ability to take action. While we wait for even more improvements in safety

features, the current features are expected to reduce the crashes and injuries which are from

human error and allow drivers to move around in the car while maintaining better driving in

traffic (Subit).  Drivers will benefit from the safety features in addition to convenience features.

As technology continues to improve, ADTs could effectively reduce human error and increase

convenience which will assist in improving safety.

Other convenience features include adaptive headlights which allows drivers to have to

have greater visibility going around turns.  The backup cameras allow drivers greater visibility as

they back up.  Some other safety features include anti-theft tools which make your vehicle less

likely to be targeted for theft (Snadmin).  This shows that as technology improves more features

will be added to vehicles.  It still requires drivers to be educated in how to use these features

effectively in order for them to be effective.

Seatbelts and airbags have been around for a while, so most drivers know how to use

them effectively. However, newer safety features are only found in a select number of vehicles.

These features are optional and many drivers are not knowledgeable of how they work.

Approximately 80 percent of people did not understand how BSD worked or thought it worked

differently and about 40 percent of people did not realize that FCW had limitations (Johnson).

Data shows that many drivers do not have knowledge of the safety features in their vehicle, but
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understanding how they work is crucial to using them effectively. Not knowing the correct way

to use the features could lead to a dangerous situation.  “People who trust the BSD feature is 84

percent, LDW is 77 percent, LKS is 73 percent, FCW is 69 percent, and AEB is 66 percent”

(Johnson).  This data shows that even though people may not know how to effectively use the

safety features, they still have a trust in the features.  When purchasing a vehicle, people want a

vehicle that will be safe. Drivers need to have a full understanding of how the safety features

work in order for them to be effective.

Figure 2. This illustration shows some safety features available such as ABS, ESC, AEB, and LDW. It also
describes how the safety system is constantly monitoring, helping the driver, and giving warning prior to an accident
(Active Safety Systems).

Not fully understanding safety features can lead to other issues.  Many drivers rely on

advanced safety features in their vehicles so may not drive as safely as they would with a vehicle

without these safety features.  In Sweden, 98 percent of new cars have ESC, but drivers risk

proneness increases due to thinking they have ESC in their vehicle (Vadeby 706).  By people not

having knowledge of the safety features, they are putting their lives in equal or greater danger as
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not having the features.  Safety features are meant to increase safety in vehicles but not increase

risk. These features are important in modern vehicles, but without the knowledge of the use of

the features, they become useless.

People can become less cautious when relying on safety features.  Car dealerships should

offer training to drivers who purchase a vehicle from them that offers safety features.  This

would help prevent drivers from having misconceptions of how the safety features operate. Car

dealerships offered training on the safety features to only about half of the buyers (Johnson).

Furthermore, when offered training approximately 90 percent took advantage of it (Johnson).

Dealerships would play a key role in driver awareness of safety features if they offered training

to drivers who purchase vehicles with these features included.  Considering 90 percent took the

training offered, this must mean that drivers think learning about the safety features is important.

When drivers have a knowledge of the features, they can learn how to use them effectively.  This

can also teach drivers the limitations to the safety features in their vehicle.  Unfortunately, 10

percent chose not to take the training. This could be due to already having the knowledge or

thinking they know how the feature operates.

Safety features are also included in race cars.  All sports have had their share of

accidents, injuries and deaths, but motorsport was a league leader for the better part of the 20th

century (Lingman).  Because of the accidents, race cars have had safety features added to help

keep drivers safe.  These features include a safety cage which keeps the driver secure in the

driver seat upon a crash, an advanced braking system which prevents wheels from locking when

heavy braking occurs, traction control which improves control when turning around corners,

high-security seatbelts which has a 6-point harness, suspension which enables the car to maintain

stability when going at speeds that are high, aerodynamics which keeps cars more stable and
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more efficient, and radial tires which provide a sticky grip on the roads and racetracks (10 Daily

Car Safety Systems That Are Derived from Race Cars).

Figure 3. This is an image of the 6-point harness found within a racecar. The safety bar is also shown. The purpose
of these safety features is to keep a driver restrained during a crash (Bonsor).

It is now 2020, and you are in a car with your friends headed to a Halloween party.  You

have your seatbelt on.  Your friend’s car has all the latest safety features.  Your friend has been

trained on how to effectively use these features.  You are going down the highway at 65 miles

per hour.  The car starts to accidentally move in to another lane. The lane departure warning

system notifies your friend that he is leaving the lane, so he quickly jerks back into the lane. This

causes the car to skid off the other side of the road into a ditch.  Although you panic, the seatbelt

keeps you in the car and prevents the person behind you from slamming into the back of your

seat.  As you jerk forward getting ready to hit the dashboard, airbags deploy preventing you from

hitting.  This is similar to what happened to Helen when she died in the crash.  Because of safety

features in your friend’s vehicle, you are able to walk away from this crash.

If every vehicle were required to have these added, my mom may not have had to

experience the injuries she is still going through. The vehicle that hit my mom’s car would have
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had automatic emergency braking which would have engaged reducing the severity of the hit.

Forward collision warning would have been engaged which could have prevented the crash.

Although the crash may have still occurred, the damage or injuries sustained may have been less.

Seatbelts and airbags have saved many lives since their introduction in vehicles.  Newer

safety features continue saving lives.  As this technology of safety features continues, more lives

will be saved.  These safety features are available only on certain vehicles.  Knowing how

effective they are, these features need to be added to all vehicles just like seatbelts and airbags.

What is needed for these features to be effective is to have them put in all vehicles and proper

training available to drivers on how to effectively use them.  Although some people believe

safety features in automobiles have negative effects on automobile safety, it in fact seems that

having safety features installed in automobiles and continuing to improve these features help

improve automobile safety.  These drivers need to be knowledgeable of the features in order to

use them effectively.

Works Cited:
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“10 Daily Car Safety Systems That Are Derived from Race Cars.” Pitpass, 18 Sept. 2018,

www.pitpass.com/62946/10-Daily-Car-Safety-Systems-That-Are-Derived-From-Race-Ca

“Active Safety Systems: What Are They and How Do They Work?” RoadSafetyFacts.eu, 24

Apr. 2019, roadsafetyfacts.eu/active-safety-systems-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-

work/.

Benson, Aaron. “Potential Reduction in Crashes, Injuries, and Deaths from Large-Scale

Deployment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.”  AAA Foundation for Traffic

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deaths-from-large-scale-deployment-of-advanced-driver-assistance-systems/.  Accessed

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Australia, HuffPost Australia, 15 July 2016,

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Limitations.” AAA Newsroom, AAA, 26 Sept. 2018, newsroom.aaa.com/2018/09/drivers-

rely-heavily-new-vehicle-safety-technologies/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2020.

Kevin Bonsor & Karim Nice. “How NASCAR Safety Works.” HowStuffWorks,

HowStuffWorks, 23 Feb. 2001, auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-racing/nascar/nascar-

basics/nascar-safety1.htm.

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Fairleigh Dickinson UP, 2015.

Lingman, Jake. “'Rapid Response' Looks at Racing's Deadliest Years and The Safety Advances

That Followed”. Autoweek. 13 May 2019. Accessed 14 Oct. 2020.

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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Driver Assistance Technologies.” National

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%20use%20sensors%20to,to%20prevent%20a%20potential%20crash. Accessed 11 Oct.

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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Occupant Protection in Passenger Vehicles.”

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37c695d1f358706aaaf528806b0e6da541826400/MyFiles/Downloads/2018%20OCCUPA

NT%20PROTECTION%20Traffic%20Safety%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf. Accessed 13 Oct.

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about-car-safety-features/. Accessed 14 Oct. 2020.

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