Understanding The Role Of Vehicle Design In Reducing Road Accidents

In this modern society, it is nearly impossible to live without your car. Every day, we hop into our vehicles without knowing the intricate systems of engineering that make them safe for travel. The evolution of our society into a car dependent one makes us focus on the importance of safety features. The absolute need for these features plays a paramount role in saving the passengers in a deadly car crash.

Car crashes are undoubtedly the leading cause of death globally, especially among young individuals. The car you are driving needs to be configured with all special safety features to ensure that you remain safe to the maximum extent in a road accident. You can consider expert alpha smash repair to get back on the road safely. When it comes to personal injury during a road accident, the driver’s fault and road conditions are considered the main contributors.

However, there is another determinant that is not commonly discussed is the vehicle design. There are multiple functions of the vehicle you trust your life with, that minimize the risk of a catastrophic accident. This blog aims to show how automobile design influences car crashes and their magnitude of severity. Let’s dive into this informative article which shows the fascinating world of car functions and their fundamental part in road accidents.

Vehicle Design: How Does it Impact Road Accidents?

There are many features of a vehicle that are unsung heroes when it comes to minimizing the influence of an accident. Nobody can prevent or even predict an accident. A survey report by PMC showed that around 1.37 million people die or become disabled in road accidents. This issue is supposed to grow and in 2030, it will be the seventh leading cause of death all around the world. However, the following specific car features significantly reduce the chances of fatal injuries.

Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness

Structural integrity is considered fundamental when discussing vehicle design. An automobile is designed to provide robust protection to the occupants at the time of accident. Car manufacturers reinforce the body structure through innovative engineering and materials. It ensures that the passengers remain safe even in a jolting crash.

Crashworthiness is the ability of the automobile to shield the passengers during life threatening crashes. It encompasses seatbelts, deployment of airbags, and the latest restraint systems. A study shows that increasing the use of seatbelts reduces the death rate by 12.1% and DALYs by 12.6%.

Crumple Zones: These areas are designed strategically to absorb and distribute the force of the impact, saving the occupants. These areas are deformed upon the accident in a controlled manner and redirect the force of collision away from the passengers. These zones substantially reduce severe injuries during a crash.
Reinforced Passenger Cabins: This part is also known as the safety cage that surrounds passengers. This rigid structure is combined with the crumple zones and secures the passengers from getting crushed. It is hardly deformed during the crash as it is made of sturdy materials.
Side Impact Beams: These beams are specifically crucial in a rollover or side impact accident. When a vehicle hits your car from the side, these beams instantly absorb the force and distribute it for minimum damage. As they are made of steel or aluminum, they offer stability to the frame of the vehicle.

Vehicle Stability and Control

Specific elements effectively enhance the stability and handling of the car to prevent an accident before it occurs. Such features are:

Electronic Stability Control (ESC): It is a vital feature in all modern automobiles that helps the driver maintain stability. Sudden maneuvers or braking on slippery roads alert the sensors of this feature to monitor the automobile’s movements, reduce engine power, and apply brakes. It enhances traction and mitigates the risk of crashes due to skidding.
Anti lock Braking System (ABS): This cutting edge safety feature prevents the tires from getting locked during sudden braking. Using the anti lock brake system results in 19.4% fewer deaths and 17.0% fewer DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years). It improves car stability, decreasing the risk of accidents occurring due to wheel lock up.
Aerodynamics and Weight Distribution: The ideal weight distribution in a car is that 50% rests on the front axle, while the other 50% is on the rear axle. An automobile works efficiently when it leaves less drag, meaning it has perfect aerodynamics. These safety aspects ensure controlled turns, acceleration, and brakes.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Advanced driver assistance systems are revolutionizing the world of automobiles. It resulted in an astounding evolution in the world of vehicle design. Using cutting edge cameras, sensors, and algorithms, these systems enhance the awareness of the driver and reduce hazards. These features lessen the chances of accidents or fatal injuries and avert collisions to preserve valuable lives.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): As the majority of side impact crashes happen when a car veers out of its lane, these two systems are vital. LDW alerts the driver when the vehicle touches or crosses the other lane by flashing lights, vibration, or audible warning. LKA steers the car gently back to its lane if the driver does not heed the warning of LDW.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This system is truly remarkable as it reacts faster than humans. It recognizes the impending danger of collision and applies brakes if the driver is unable to do so immediately. This swiftness prevents the collision from happening and alleviates the likelihood of severe injuries.
Blind Spot Monitoring: Another driver assistance system is blind spot monitoring. This innovative safety feature warns the driver if the car is at risk of an accident. It notifies you when another vehicle appears within the blind spot or suddenly switches lanes and is about to collide with your automobile.

Ergonomic Design is Pivotal

A comfortable drive is of utmost significance in a bustling area with congested traffic, where split second decisions are either safety or catastrophe. A vehicle design that is ergonomic reduces any distractions for drivers and creates a safe driving experience. From intuitive interfaces to well adjusted seating, these dynamic factors decrease mental strain and fatigue. An ergonomic vehicle design improves your performance as you navigate a high traffic urban area.

Impact of Design and Materials Innovations

In the realm of automotive, the design and materials of the vehicles are changing. The shift towards lightweight yet sturdy materials improves durability. Moreover, these materials, including high strength carbon fiber and steel, do not compromise fuel efficiency, which is a win win for the driver. Additionally, the integration of improved windshield visibility and adaptive headlights enables the driver to be aware of the surroundings, further lessening the likelihood of road accidents.

Moving into the Future of Safe Vehicle Design

The advancements in car safety keep redefining our expectations. From basic seatbelts to advanced driver assistance systems, vehicular safety has evolved at an exceptional pace. The only goal is to create a society where accidents are an archaic concept. Let’s discuss the exciting advancements in this realm.

Active Safety Features

In the past decades, the only focus was to prevent severe injuries during accidents, but active safety features prevent the crash altogether. This sphere noticed exponential improvement in the last decade. The features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Emergency Braking Systems (EBS), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), are the advent of technologies. These systems use a cutting edge combination of monitors, sensors, and cameras to detect threats and act accordingly to avert perilous situations.

AR and HUD

Another advanced feature making its way into the realm of modern automotive is augmented reality (AR). This system incorporates a heads up display (HUD) feature that allows drivers to see information projected on the windshield. It displays navigation, speed, and other relevant details within the vision of the driver. This extraordinary system helps car drivers keep their eyes on the road and become aware of their surroundings simultaneously.

Vehicle to Everything Communication

Vehicle to everything (V2X) communication is a mind blowing development in this sphere. This revolutionary feature is paramount for road safety as it allows cars to communicate. It enables an automobile to share position, speed, and other aspects in real time communication. This exchange of details alleviates the risk of collisions if there is a potential hazard, such as a sudden change in traffic.

Biometric Technology

Now, only authorized drivers can operate cars with this intriguing system of biometrics. This biometric technology enhances protection as only specific individuals gain access to your automobile. It uses fingerprints or retinal identification to ensure that you come into the list of authorized people. Additionally, it alerts drivers to be more careful if it detects signs of fatigue through heart rate and eye tracking. In some cases, the car takes over and slows down if the driver does not acknowledge the warning.

What Lies Ahead

With all the development in vehicle design, the future looks promising. The reduction of road accidents and enhanced safety during the navigation of roads seem achievable. As discussed, the number of accidents per year has grown to a concerning statistic. The progress in this sphere of the automotive industry is crucial to witnessing a drastic decline in collisions. This industry is already using numerous features to provide a secure journey. However, as the technology progresses, it is sure to be leveraged in cars as well. You can expect even better security for cars as these cutting edge systems evolve with time.