Term of the Moment
generalized program
Redirected from: car safety systems
Definition: automotive safety systems
Vehicular systems that help prevent an accident are increasing rapidly. Combined with all the computer-based entertainment, navigation, dashboard and engine control, electronic systems comprised more than 20% of the car's value by 2017. Automotive safety systems are designed to either work automatically or require drivers to activate them when desired. See automotive systems and microcontroller.
Old Passive
Passive systems require no action on the part of the driver other than buckling seat belts. Head rests, airbags, anti-lock braking (see ABS) and tire pressure monitoring (see TPM) are passive safety measures that date back to the 1960s and 1970s in the U.S.
New Passive
Automatic braking, blind spot alerts, rear blind zone monitoring, cyclist and temperature detection, driver alerts and adaptive headlights are modern passive systems. See collision avoidance system, blind spot monitoring, driver alert, cyclist detection, pedestrian detection, hot car detection and adaptive headlights.
New Active
Active systems must be turned on by the driver. Cruise control that keeps a set distance, lane changing warnings, self-parking and self-driving are examples. See adaptive cruise control, lane departure system, self-parking car and self-driving car.
Safety Systems in a Lincoln
Old Passive
Passive systems require no action on the part of the driver other than buckling seat belts. Head rests, airbags, anti-lock braking (see ABS) and tire pressure monitoring (see TPM) are passive safety measures that date back to the 1960s and 1970s in the U.S.
New Passive
Automatic braking, blind spot alerts, rear blind zone monitoring, cyclist and temperature detection, driver alerts and adaptive headlights are modern passive systems. See collision avoidance system, blind spot monitoring, driver alert, cyclist detection, pedestrian detection, hot car detection and adaptive headlights.
New Active
Active systems must be turned on by the driver. Cruise control that keeps a set distance, lane changing warnings, self-parking and self-driving are examples. See adaptive cruise control, lane departure system, self-parking car and self-driving car.
A TV commercial for the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus touts its safety systems by displaying the checklist that appears on the dashboard when starting the car. (Image courtesy of Ford Motor Company.)