In an age where Honda Sensing is either standard or available for more models each year, it’s hard to remember a world without safety and driver-assistance features. How did we survive? Weren’t drivers constantly falling asleep at the wheel, drifting across lanes, and experiencing horrific collisions?
How Much of a Difference Modern Safety Features Make
Well, yes- at least, they were doing so more often. According the IIHS, driver-assistance features reduced dangerous collisions by about 11% based on data gathered in 2015. They also lowered the rates of serious injuries sustained from the same types of crashes by about 21%.
Driver-assistance safety suites such as Honda Sensing help warn drivers and give them time to avoid a crash, thereby preventing some of the deadliest accidents. They can also make an imminent incident less severe by using methods such as automatically applying the brakes and tightening seatbelts.
Honda vehicles can also be a safe choice for young drivers.
Do all cars have driver-assistance features?
In 2017, just 6% of new vehicles included standard Lane Departure Warning systems. Blind Spot Alerts were standard in 9%. These numbers aren’t great, so hopefully the prevalence of these systems continues to grow.
On the bright side, however, such features were available in 57% of vehicles. This means over half of those buying new vehicles have the option of getting cutting-edge safety on their ride. Based on the data, it’s a smart choice to spring for the extra security.
In the years since the study, standard driver-assistance features have been becoming more common on Honda vehicles. One example is the standard Honda Sensing suite on the 2019 Honda Civic.
How much protection do safety features provide?
There is a danger of drivers relying too heavily on safety technology. Some drivers expect safety systems to keep them safe no matter what, allowing them to drive more absent-minded and carelessly. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of safety and driver-assistance; these systems are there to aid and assist diligent drivers, not replace them (yet). Drivers should be aware of the limitations of their systems.
In summary, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Executive Director Dr. David Yang had this to say: “When properly utilized, ADAS technologies have the potential to prevent 40 percent of all vehicle crashes and nearly 30 percent of traffic deaths: however,” he continued, “Driver understanding and proper use is crucial in reaping the full safety benefits of these systems.”
If something does go wrong, you may need to find a: Honda Dealership with Courtesy Shuttle for Repairs in Avondale, AZ
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