BERLIN: According to statistics from the vehicle testing organisation Dekra, human error is the cause of more than 90 per cent of traffic accidents. So it’s for good reason that the automotive industry has long been installing and counting on driver assistance systems.
These systems are able to recognise critical driving and traffic situations at an early stage, warn against dangers and, if necessary, actively intervene. But which assistance systems are especially important?
"In addition to anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability programs (ESP), the emergency brake assist system is indispensable, with pedestrian and cyclist recognition if possible," says Jens Koenig, head of accident analysis and accident research at German testing agency Dekra.
Predictive emergency braking systems are based on adaptive cruise control systems, and are designed to prevent rear-end collisions or at least reduce the collision speed and thus the severity of the accident.
Accident investigations conducted in Germany have shown that more than half of motorists in rear-end collisions were either too hesitant when braking, or didn’t hit the brakes at all because they were distracted. Emergency brake systems can help by automatically applying maximum braking power, thus saving valuable centimetres that could make the difference between life and death.
Also useful are lane-departure warning systems, which alert drivers if they accidentally veer out of their lane on motorways. Especially on long and monotonous routes when the driver's attention might slip, this is a valuable helper.
The same applies to lane change and blind spot assistants. Vehicles approaching in areas that are difficult or impossible for the driver to see can be detected by sensors, which then alert the driver in order to prevent a collision.
Even so, checking over one’s shoulder is still essential to safe driving. Since the sensors can only detect objects a few metres on either side and to the rear, quickly approaching vehicles cannot be detected.
While other extras such as parking assistants, high-beam assistants, fatigue detection, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control are often considered comfort features, they can also do a lot to improve traffic safety.
But no matter which electronic assistants are on board, it’s always important that drivers don't rely on them, and stay fully in control of their vehicle and their manoeuvres.
"Just as important as knowing about the functionality of assistance systems is for drivers to know and understand their performance spectrum and, above all, their limits," says Koenig.
