Understanding the Importance of ADAS

What are Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
When it comes to automotive safety, most consumers think of seatbelts, airbags and the fortified steel frame of a vehicle itself. While these components are incredibly important, they are considered passive features, which means they protect passengers from the aftermath of a vehicle collision.
Active features take precautions to prevent the damage before it’s done. Some examples of active safety features include anti-lock braking systems (ABS), auto-braking, adaptive cruise control and movement sensors and cameras that assist in parking, lane changes and blind spot monitoring. Specialized sensors with 360-degree vision allow a vehicle to detect and react to hidden obstacles that could catch a driver off guard. By helping drivers manage difficult or unpredictable driving conditions, active safety features minimize the risk of accidents.
Both passive and active safety features are critical components to a vehicle and fall under the term ADAS (advanced driver assisted systems). Because most car accidents are the result of human error, vehicle manufacturers continue to put safety first by investing in ADAS research and testing to make the safest vehicles possible. Major insurance companies reward vehicle owners by offering reduced rates for sedans, crossovers, SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks with these accident-avoiding built-in techs.
Why Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Matter
A split second is all it takes for a catastrophic collision to occur. Someone runs a red light, a child wanders into the street, a distracted driver is texting, something’s in your blind spot—these occurrences are beyond our control and often happen too quickly to avoid. While most drivers would like to think of themselves as careful, the truth is: we’re human. We’re susceptible to distraction and often don’t have the reaction time needed to keep up with the high-speed vehicles and pedestrians, cyclists, bus drivers and truckers who share the road with us.
That’s where ADAS comes into play—to act as your autopilot buddy. Not so you can slack off at the wheel, but to give you an extra perceptive pair of eyes that’ll guide you safely along your journey and take the reins if necessary. By wiring extremely calibrated programmers and sensors to detect and react to unseen road hazards, ADAS is the reason many car wrecks aren’t as severe or are avoided altogether.
The statistics don’t lie. Advanced driver assisted systems can prevent up to 1.8 million collisions in the United States alone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. ADAS impacts 3.59 million (or 62%) of crashes every year, and has the potential to prevent up to 10,000 deaths annually. Plus, ADAS functionality doesn’t just give you peace of mind when it comes to automotive safety, it also provides ease and comfort during long road trips, tight parking jobs and other driving stressors.
The benefits are clear and proven—ADAS is a critical form of automotive safety that changes lives. And it doesn’t just stop at cars, trucks or SUVs. You’ll find ADAS technology on plane systems, commercial machinery, farming equipment, construction sites and even military vehicles. By utilizing artificial intelligence programmed to detect what the human eye cannot, machines with ADAS are proven to reduce the risk of accidents with other vehicles and pedestrians, improving overall citizen safety.
NAPA Steers Toward the Future
ADAS features were once seen as luxury and unnecessary add-ons. Nowadays, these assisted driving systems are becoming more affordable and easier to install, making them an expected standard of safety. So, it’s no surprise to see that more than 90% of new vehicles sold today are equipped with at least one ADAS function, and that number will drastically increase by the year 2025.
However, as vehicles become more complex and reliant on computer systems, automotive maintenance can sometimes get tricky. Routine services involving tires, alignments and suspension can all affect your ADAS functionality, especially when dealing with precise sensor recalibration. To ensure that you’re getting professional automotive care and all systems are in prime operating condition, roll on over to your local NAPA AutoCare Center for the best service available.
As the state of modern vehicles evolve, so will the NAPA Network. NAPA currently carries an for any aftermarket replacements or upgrades, all of which are designed to enhance the comfort, simplicity and safety of your driving experience. NAPA experts think of self-driving vehicles as a future that isn’t too far away. But until we get there, ADAS functionality will continue to evolve and nudge us along the path of vehicle autonomy to keep you, your passengers and other drivers safe and sound.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
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