Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

Advanced driver-assistance systems are being integrated into new car models every year. And while they are designed to take some of the stress out of driving and improve driver safety, AAA warns against getting too dependent on them.

Marketing language may lead to overconfidence and misunderstanding of ADAS capabilities, potentially causing drivers to pay less attention to the road, according to data collected by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. ADAS tech is designed to work with an engaged driver, not replace the driver. The foundation advises drivers to treat the technology as a backup to their own senses and reactions and always be prepared to take control. 

These are some of the ADAS safety features you can expect to see in new car models. 

Antilock Brakes

Antilock brakes prevent wheel lockup and skidding that can occur with conventional brakes. It keeps more of the tire surface in contact with the road, giving the driver greater ability to steer to safety.

Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Braking

Rear-end crashes are the most common type of crashes in the U.S. Using front-facing sensors, this system is designed to scan the road ahead and alert drivers of an imminent crash. However, while the forward collision system can sense danger, it won’t help you avoid it, which is why it is often paired with automatic braking.

While some crash prevention systems will only provide a warning and prepare the brakes for full stopping power, others apply the brakes automatically to prevent a crash. This safety feature combination just might be the reason your next zone-out moment isn’t fatal. 

Advanced Cruise Control

While typical cruise control holds vehicle speed as set by the driver, advanced cruise control varies the speed based on traffic. For example, if the driver sets cruise control at 65 mph but traffic slows to 55 mph, advanced cruise control automatically reduces the speed until traffic clears. In some cases, these systems can control speed down to a complete stop. It also calculates following distance to keep the car safely behind others.

Traction Control and Stability Control Systems

Many vehicles combine these features. Traction control systems use brakes to stop a wheel that is spinning and force the opposite wheel to turn. This may provide the necessary traction to get a stuck car moving again. Stability control also uses the brakes to help steer the car when it is skidding. Stability control doesn’t necessarily improve handling, but it does reduce the chance of getting into a skid.

Integrated Steering Wheel

To keep drivers hands-free, steering wheels have been redesigned with control shortcuts to some of the most widely used car systems. Most drivers can control the radio station, volume, cruise control, phone and more from the buttons on their steering wheel. 

Voice Controlled Systems

While operating in-car systems without taking your hands off the wheel has become much easier, there are still times when a driver has to reach over and fiddle with controls. But some car manufacturers have taken the hands-free mantra one step further, testing voice-activated controls for the radio, climate and even navigation systems. While this isn’t a standard (yet), consumers should expect to talk to their cars a lot more in the future. 

Lane-Keeping Assist

The lane-monitoring safety feature has been popping up on more car models each year. Best used on highways, this technology uses road markings to detect if a driver is drifting into a new lane without a turn signal. Then, depending on the car make and model, the driver will be alerted with a chime, flashing light or vibration. Some systems will even step in with corrective steering or braking. More complex systems use a hands-free lane-keeping system that can even slow and stop with the flow of traffic.

Blind Spot Monitoring

Paired with lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring can make traveling traffic-heavy highways and major roads much safer. The systems use sensors to detect when there is a car in your blind spot and then alert you with a visual or audible warning. Some more advanced systems take it even further, showing what’s in your blind spot using camera footage. 

Pedestrian Detection

This system uses a camera and radar to “see” pedestrians a driver may miss. More advanced systems use infrared technology to detect the heat produced by humans and animals to prevent collisions.

Backup Camera

Rearview cameras are now standard on all American market vehicles. This feature allows drivers to see live footage on the dashboard of what’s behind their car, making it easier to navigate parking lots, pulling out of driveways and other situations where it’s easy to accidentally hit something (or someone). 

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert/Warning

Supplementing the backup camera, this system uses radar to look to the left, right and behind the vehicle as it backs out of a parking space. This is especially handy when you find yourself sandwiched between two large SUVs in a parking lot. 

Headlight Improvements

Even this basic component has become more sophisticated. Manufacturers are adding features that turn the lights slightly when taking a turn or stay level when driving up and down a hill. Some cars even have headlights that automatically shut off or dim to prevent blinding oncoming drivers.

There are exciting developments in car technology afoot. And though it may seem impossible to keep up with the rapid pace at which the latest advances are moving, you’ll want to keep an eye on these.

Self-Driving Cars

Driverless vehicles are being perfected as we speak. Like cruise control and self-parking, it is only a matter of time before this new autonomous technology becomes more commonplace. However, it may take some time to gain drivers’ confidence. AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey shows high votes of little to no confidence in self-driving vehicles year after year.

The challenge of developing a driverless car is ensuring that it can navigate the hazards we encounter every day, such as traffic circles, oncoming cars, congested streets and pedestrian traffic. With advances in machine learning, computers are now able to learn without being expressly programmed to respond, which is essential as driverless cars will encounter situations they may not have been exposed to during simulation or testing. The intricate process of developing computers that guide driverless cars involves massive amounts of data, simulation and testing. 

One of the goals of having self-driving cars is to ultimately make roads safer. With the element of human distraction and decision-making out of the way, some anticipate an overall decrease in accidents in the long term. 

Biometrics

If you ever used a fingerprint scan to access your smartphone, you have relied on biometric data. Broadly, biometrics refers to the data about your human characteristics and includes things like face recognition and retina detection. For many years, it has been used for security purposes, but it also has applications in your vehicle.

Unlocking your car with a fingerprint can help guard against auto theft. If your car is equipped with biometric features, your vehicle may also adjust to your preferences (seat location, dashboard display, etc.), which is particularly useful if you share a car. 

Beyond identification, biometrics can be used to monitor drivers. Cars are being developed that can detect your heart rate, breathing and movement patterns to indicate when you may be too drowsy to drive. Traditionally, vehicles that detect drowsiness rely on information about the car’s own movements – such as lane deviation to indicate a driver may be too tired to operate it safely.

With features becoming more advanced, insurance companies may give discounts for safety features based on biometric data. Insurance is based on assigned risk, and any step you can take to protect your vehicle decreases the likelihood it will be stolen.

As technology continues to improve, and the need for cleaner energy keeps growing, electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more sought after and more accessible. These cars are not one size fits all. From the way they are powered to how far they can travel and how much they cost, there are some important aspects to sort through.

Hybrids 

There are two types of hybrids on the market: Hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Both HEVs and PHEVs have a gas engine, an electric motor and a battery, but they are powered a little differently.  

HEVs do not require an external charging source to charge. The gas engine generates enough electricity to charge the battery while driving, which also gets a boost from regenerative braking, a process in which the brakes use momentum to create electricity when the car coasts or decelerates. 

PHEVs get some of their charge from regenerative braking, too, but as the name suggests, can also be plugged into a power source. PHEVs can travel as far as 40 miles on electricity alone.  

Battery Electric Vehicles

Battery EVs are cars powered by internal batteries charged by plugging into an outlet. Unlike hybrids, BEVs do not have a gas engine and rely exclusively on electricity to run. The lack of an engine means that BEVs do not produce the emissions that traditional gas-powered vehicles do. (There are some emissions created by charging these cars.)

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles  

The least common type of EV, fuel cell electric vehicles are powered by electricity – but not from a battery. Instead, they are equipped with tanks filled with hydrogen. The car’s fuel cell combines this hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity to power the motor. 

Hydrogen-powered cars are still an emerging technology, but their potential – 400-plus miles of range and a refueling time of less than five minutes – means you’re likely to see them become more available as the refueling infrastructure grows.

The Cost of Electric Vehicles

EVs are generally more expensive than similar, gas-powered cars, especially fully electric models. However, the average price is dropping as more are manufactured. Other savings brought in from electric vehicles offset the purchase price. The most notable savings come at the pump. The cost of charging is generally less than gas. And because certain regular maintenance tasks like oil changes aren’t needed, you also save on upkeep and repair. Electric vehicles are also eligible for tax incentives. 

Charging EVS 

Conventional hybrids do not need any external charging; they are powered by converting the vehicle’s own energy. Plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles need to be connected to an outside power source. Most owners will charge their cars at home. 

There are 3 levels of charging: 

Level 1 – Charge via standard outlet. This slow charging method usually delivers about 4 to 5 miles of charge per hour. No special installation needed. Do not use with an extension cord. 

Level 2 – Most common at public charging stations but can also be installed at home by a licensed electrician. This level delivers twice the voltage and cuts charging time in half.

Level 3 – The fastest EV charging available, it can fully charge a car in about 20 minutes to an hour. Only available in public charging stations. 

While the number of charging locations continues to grow, it’s always a good idea to plan out your route when traveling long distances according to where you know you can get a charge.

Find out more about EVs and access helpful tools, including an EV cost calculator, emissions calculator, incentives finder and charger map. AAA.com/EV