What is ADAS Technology & How Does it Keep You Safe While Driving?

Many modern vehicles come equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and they transform the way we drive. They add layers of safety and help us avoid common driving mistakes like swerving out of our lane. ADAS technology helps mitigate the risks associated with human error. These systems make driving safer for everyone on the road. 

What is ADAS Technology?

Simply put, ADAS refers to a set of electronic systems installed into a vehicle that are designed to assist the driver in making safe decisions when driving and they act when the driver can’t. ADAS systems use sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar (light detection and ranging) to detect the world around the vehicle to give the driver data in real time. 

ADAS technology was invented because most crashes are caused by human mistakes like becoming distracted, tired, or suffering a lack of judgement. Today’s ADAS technology is much more evolved than the basic safety features. They’re highly sophisticated systems and are becoming a standard in new vehicles. 

What Are Some Key ADAS Features that Enhance Safety?

So that you can better understand the ADAS features in your vehicle, we put this list together of ADAS features that keep you and your passengers safe. 

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Lane Departure Warning uses cameras to track road markings. If the driver of the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane, the sensors alert the driver. This simple alert can help prevent accidents typically caused by fatigued or distracted drivers. 

Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA)

Lane Keeping Assist goes further on the LDW concept. LKA will actively steer the vehicle back into its lane if unintentional lane departure is detected. This system is especially helpful to those who spend their work hours behind a wheel on the highway. Fatigued drivers might doze off and veer off course. 

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Cruise Control is great for giving you a break from accelerating. Adaptive Cruise Control is an extension of the first. ACC will automatically adjust the car’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Even when you’re driving in stop-and-go traffic, when the system detects that traffic is slowing down, ACC will decelerate your car. When traffic is clear, the system will return to the adjusted speed. ACC greatly reduces the stress of long highway drives and can prevent collisions caused by sudden braking. 

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

Auto Emergency Braking is one of the most collision-avoiding features in modern ADAS technology. AEB works with sensors and cameras to detect possible collisions with other vehicles or other obstacles in the road. When a collision is detected, the driver does not have to take action. AEB will apply the brakes to avoid, or reduce the severity, of the crash. 

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Forward Collision Warning technology will alert the driver if the vehicle is coming up to another car too fast and detects there is risk of a crash. FCW uses radar and cameras to scan the road ahead to give early warnings to the driver. This system does not activate the brakes, but it is designed to give the driver ample time to react and avoid an accident. 

Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)

Blind Spot Monitoring detects vehicles that may not be visible by the driver’s side mirrors. BSM uses radar sensors placed in the vehicle’s rear corners. If another vehicle enters your blind spot, the system will alert you with an audible and visual warning. Some of these systems also include Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which warns the driver about approaching vehicles when reversing. 

Parking Assistance and Surround View Cameras

Parking assistance systems help the driver park. It uses cameras and sensors to take in the surroundings and alert the driver of obstacles. They can even steer the vehicle into a parking spot without any assistance from the driver. This makes parallel parking easier. 

Traffic Sign Recognition

Traffic Sign Recognition can identify road signs. It uses cameras to see speed limit and stop signs and displays them onto your dashboard, so you don’t miss them. This is a helpful feature if you drive in unfamiliar areas frequently. It helps reduce driver violations and accidents.

How Does ADAS Keep You Safe?

Now that you have an understanding of the key ADAS features, here are the ways those features keep you and your passengers safe. 

• Accident Prevention: Features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning can aid in preventing accidents by alerting the driver to potential danger. 

• Enhanced Awareness: Blind Spot Monitoring, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Lane Departure Warning all improve the drivers awareness of their surroundings, which makes it easier to spot potential danger. 

• Reducing Human Error: Nearly ninety-four percent of all car crashes are caused by human error. ADAS technology can help drastically reduce that number. 

• Driver Convenience and Stress Reduction: Systems like Adaptive Cruise Control and Parking Assistance help make long drives less stressful. This alone can improve road safety overall. Without stress, drivers can focus better. 

Do You Need ADAS Calibration in the Murfreesboro, TN Area?

If you live or are driving through the Franklin, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, or Brentwood, TN areas contact us at Glass Monkey today. We are experienced with ADAS systems in all vehicles and can be sure that when we repair your windshield the ADAS technology embedded in there is working properly.