Car features that automatically activate in an accident
Automakers are increasingly focusing on developing self-activating safety features to provide a safe driving experience.
Car safety features are constantly evolving to minimize injury to the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. Here are some of the car features that activate automatically in the event of an accident:
Airbag deployment
When a collision occurs, depending on the severity, the collision sensors around the vehicle will send a signal to the processor, activating the airbag inflation system with non-toxic nitrogen gas, at a speed faster than the blink of an eye.
Airbags deflate immediately after impact. Airbags are most effective when the occupant is wearing a seatbelt.
As a result, some automakers set the airbags to deploy only when the seat belt is fastened, while most others default to the two features operating independently.
Activate the warning light
Hazard lights will automatically activate in the event of sudden braking or a collision, warning other vehicles on the road of danger ahead.
Wipers on
The situation of the wipers operating when the car collides is a common occurrence. The reason is because the wiper position is usually arranged behind the steering wheel, which is a position that is easily affected by external forces, or inertial force from the driver's hand, causing the wiper to accidentally push when a collision occurs. In some cases of collisions with water, oil, or liquid splashed onto the car's glass surface, the automatic wiper system can also be activated.
Fasten seat belts
Most seat belts in today's cars automatically tighten, holding the person in place to prevent them from being thrown forward. In some older cars, the seat belts automatically lock, but do not tighten.
Seat belts increase the protective effectiveness of airbags and also help keep the body from being thrown or ejected from the vehicle in the event of a rollover.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that the combination of airbags and seat belts reduces the risk of death in frontal crashes by 61%, compared with a 50% reduction with seat belts alone and a 34% reduction with airbags alone.
Collapsed steering column
When colliding, the body is thrown forward by inertia. The position right at the driver's chest is the steering wheel. If the chest strongly impacts the steering wheel, it will cause many dangerous injuries. Therefore, the self-collapsing steering column was born to minimize casualties due to impact with the steering wheel.
Instead of a solid shaft, the collapsible steering column uses a telescopic section. In the event of a frontal collision, the steering system and wheels are forced, and the telescopic section is compressed, absorbing the force and preventing the steering wheel from being pushed into the driver’s chest.
Fold the seat into the correct position
Some high-end models, such as Mercedes, are equipped with a system that automatically straightens the seat back to the optimal position if the seat is in a reclined position during a collision. This prevents the body from slipping out of the seat belt and being thrown forward.
Door unlocked
Most cars today must be equipped with automatic door opening in case of accident or airbag deployment. This helps the injured people in the car to be rescued easily in case of unconsciousness.
On the other hand, cars with electronic door opening buttons are always equipped with traditional mechanical door opening levers inside, to help passengers exit the car in case the electrical system no longer works.
Engine slides under passenger compartment
The car engine usually weighs on average from 140-320 kg, located directly in front of the driver and passenger.
To prevent the engine from turning into a "bullet" weighing hundreds of kilograms and crashing straight into the cabin in a strong collision, the frame is designed and carefully calculated so that when the front of the car is crushed, the frame that mounts the engine will be diagonally crushed down, causing the engine block to slide under the passenger compartment, instead of being crushed horizontally. Most new car frames today are designed with this safety feature.
