As innovative car safety technology continues to evolve, you can expect features to improve and adapt at a rapid pace. In the past, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking were at the height of advancements, but the latest features are beyond what you could even imagine just a few short years ago. 

Blind Spot Detection, Collision Warning, and Pedestrian Detection Systems are just a few of the safety upgrades available in new vehicles today. You may be wondering if these features are worth the additional cost and if they actually help prevent accidents. In a word-yes! Not only do they prevent crashes, but they save drivers money and, more importantly, they save lives.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Worldwide, the market for ADAS is expected to grow from $27 million in 2021 to over $83 billion by the year 2030. In less than ten years, the demand for semi-autonomous vehicles is expected to skyrocket. Consider that the technological advances available right now have saved consumers untold amounts of money due to car repairs, insurance claims and medical bills.

Research conducted by LexisNexis Risk Solutions found that ADAS equipped vehicles provided a 19% reduction in frequency of property damage and a 27% reduction in personal injury claim occurrence over vehicles without any advanced driver-assistance systems. Not only do ADAS equipped vehicles reduce damage when an accident occurs, but they also prevent collisions from happening in the first place. What are Advanced Safety Systems?

New technology that makes your vehicle safer can not only help you while you’re driving, but also while you’re parking or even sitting still. ADAS often include cameras and sensors placed throughout your vehicle that can detect and alert you when there is a potential danger in your path. Pedestrian detection systems and blind spot detection will let you know when there is a threat outside your line of vision.

Advancements such as collision warning, cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning, are able to identify potentially dangerous situations as they’re happening and give you a signal to make driving adjustments to avoid a crash. In some vehicles, these systems can alert a drowsy driver before he drifts off the road or into oncoming traffic. 

How Much Safer Are Vehicles With These Systems? 

There has already been plenty of research done on the subject. In a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, vehicles equipped with blind-spot detection technology showed a decrease of over 14% as compared to the same vehicle without blind-spot detection. Another study showed that ADAS technologies could prevent many crashes from ever happening in the first place, potentially saving billions of dollars each year and thousands of lives.

Should You Purchase a Vehicle With ADAS?

Although purchasing a vehicle with new ADAS could save you from a potential crash, there are some downsides to keep in mind. Vehicles with new safety technology are more expensive and pricier to maintain. A study from AAA found that repairs in a vehicle with ADAS can be almost twice the price of a similar model without all the latest safety features. 

Car insurance companies are also reluctant to lower premiums even if your vehicle is equipped with all the latest safety features, because these systems are still so new. If you’ve been in an accident and need legal representation, car accident attorney Dan Rose can help. Your attorney will be able to help you.