Automated Vehicles Act 2024 - Why Good Tyres Are Essential for Modern Car Safety Systems

This system allows drivers to set a desired cruising speed and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. ACC uses radar or LiDAR to detect the preceding vehicle and automatically adjusts the car’s speed to maintain the preset distance. This can be especially helpful on long highway journeys and in stop-and-go traffic.

This advanced version of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) takes automation a step further. Not only does it maintain a safe following distance from the car in front, but it can also use lane centering functionality to keep the vehicle positioned within the centre of its lane markings. This is achieved through a combination of cameras and steering wheel interventions, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys and potentially improving highway safety.

This umbrella term encompasses various technologies designed to assist drivers and enhance safety on the road.  ADAS features can include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) which alerts drivers if they’re unintentionally drifting out of their lane, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) which detects vehicles in the driver’s blind spot, and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) which can autonomously apply brakes to avoid a collision.

This system prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control and avoid skidding. Sensors monitor wheel speed, and a hydraulic control unit modulates brake pressure to keep the wheels rolling.

This technology utilises sensors like radar, cameras, or LiDAR to detect potential forward collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. If an imminent collision is determined and the driver doesn’t react in time, AEB can automatically apply brakes to slow down the vehicle or bring it to a complete stop, potentially mitigating the severity of the accident or even preventing it altogether. It’s important to note that AEB has limitations, such as not working in all weather conditions or at very low speeds.

While not technically an active safety feature, telematics systems can play a crucial role in accident reconstruction and driver behaviour analysis. These systems collect data on vehicle speed, braking, and other parameters. This information can be invaluable for insurance companies and law enforcement in understanding the cause of accidents.

This ADAS feature uses radar sensors or rear-mounted cameras to detect vehicles approaching from the rear and entering your vehicle’s blind spots. When a vehicle is detected, BSM typically activates a warning light on the side mirror or instrument panel, or emits an audible or haptic alert to notify the driver. This helps drivers change lanes safely by informing them of vehicles they might not see in their mirrors.

This technology enables vehicles to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure. Imagine a car approaching a red light – C2X could allow it to receive a signal from the traffic light itself, informing the driver of the remaining wait time or even suggesting alternative routes to avoid congestion. This technology holds immense potential for improving traffic flow and safety on the roads.

These systems use cameras or other sensors to monitor driver behaviour and detect signs of drowsiness, fatigue, or distraction. If the system detects impairment, it can emit audible or visual warnings to prompt the driver to take a break or refocus on the road.

This system works in conjunction with ABS to ensure optimal braking force is distributed to each wheel. It takes into account factors like weight distribution and road conditions for more balanced braking.

This comprehensive system combines ABS, EBD, and TCS with additional sensors to detect loss of vehicle stability. If the car starts to skid or lose control, ESP applies corrective measures like selective braking and engine power adjustments to get the vehicle back on track.

This system builds upon Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). If the system detects signs of driver incapacitation (e.g., hands off the wheel for an extended period), ELKA can take more significant actions to keep the vehicle within its lane or even gently guide it to the side of the road and bring it to a stop, potentially preventing accidents in emergency situations. However, ELKA is still under development, and its availability and functionality vary depending on the car manufacturer.

This system projects essential driving information like speed, navigation, and warning signals directly onto the windshield within the driver’s line of sight. This allows drivers to access information without taking their eyes off the road, potentially improving reaction times and reducing distractions.

This system uses a combination of cameras or GPS data and a digital map to keep drivers informed about the current speed limit. Here’s how it can function in different ways:

• Informative ISA This version simply displays the speed limit on the dashboard or instrument cluster, reminding drivers of the legal limit.
• Warning ISA If the vehicle exceeds the speed limit, this system provides an audible or visual warning to alert the driver.
• Assisting ISA This is the most advanced version, where the system can take some action to help the driver maintain the speed limit. This might involve gentle engine power reduction or increased resistance on the accelerator pedal to discourage exceeding the limit.
  It’s important to note that ISA is typically designed to be overridable by the driver. This means drivers can choose to press the accelerator pedal firmly to override the system’s intervention if absolutely necessary.

This specific ADAS feature actively helps drivers maintain their position within a lane.  Cameras typically monitor lane markings. If the car starts to drift towards the lane edge without the turn signal activated, LKA can provide gentle steering wheel corrections or nudges to guide the vehicle back into the lane. It’s important to note that LKA is a driver assistance system, and drivers should always maintain control of the vehicle.

This system utilizes infrared cameras to enhance the driver’s vision in low-light conditions, helping them detect pedestrians, animals, or other obstacles on the road that might be difficult to see with regular headlights.

This system helps prevent wheel spin during acceleration, especially on slippery surfaces. If a wheel loses traction, the TCS applies brakes and reduces engine power to that wheel, regaining control.

This technology uses a camera to detect and recognise traffic signs, such as speed limits, no stopping signs, and one-way signs. The system then displays the recognised signs on the dashboard or instrument cluster, helping drivers stay informed and avoid potential violations. TSR can also be integrated with navigation systems to alert drivers of upcoming changes in speed limits.

The TPMS system uses sensors (in some cases located within the valve stem) to monitor tyre pressure and alert drivers to underinflated tyres, another factor that can reduce traction and impact the effectiveness of safety systems.

These systems offer a significant layer of protection, but it’s important to remember their limitations. They are designed to refine a car’s handling within the boundaries set by tyre traction.

Here’s where the condition of your tyres comes into play.

These encompass various technologies that assist drivers with parking manoeuvres. Examples include:

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) This system uses radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from the sides when reversing out of a parking space, helping to avoid collisions.
• Parking Sensors These sensors mounted on the front and rear bumpers emit audible or visual warnings to indicate the distance to obstacles when parking.
• 360-Degree Camera System This system provides a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings, allowing drivers to see potential obstacles and manoeuvre more precisely during parking.

This emerging feature automatically applies the brakes after a collision to prevent the vehicle from rolling further and potentially causing secondary accidents.

This advanced system can take more control over the vehicle in stop-and-go traffic situations. Using sensors and cameras, TJA can manage low-speed following, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front and even performing short bursts of acceleration or braking to keep pace with traffic flow. However, it’s important to note that TJA is typically designed for motorways and requires driver supervision, as it might not function optimally in all traffic scenarios.

This system utilizes cameras and GPS data to identify road markings and compare them with the vehicle’s direction of travel. If the system detects the car is entering a one-way street or highway exit ramp going the wrong way, it can trigger audible and visual warnings to alert the driver and potentially avoid a dangerous situation.