2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
Safety assistance systems are becoming more and more common in modern vehicles. But the drivers of private or commercial vehicles can also increase safety.
Driving safety systems have long made their way from the upper class to the lower segments. The technical possibilities for this are constantly developing. Assistance or warning systems help to avoid dangerous situations. Networking the individual technical components can also help reduce accidents.
When purchasing the vehicles, a suitable safety package can be selected depending on requirements and intended use. The systems monitor the environment using various techniques such as radar, ultrasound or cameras. The information recorded by the sensors is used to recognize dangerous situations and to warn the driver or to intervene directly in the control of the vehicle or to brake the car independently.
Basically, systems are available that are exclusively intended to improve safety and others that primarily promise more comfort:
• Approach and inclines: traction control, hill start and exit assistance, acceleration assistant, electronic differential
lock • Brakes: distance warning system, anti-lock braking system, brake assistant, emergency brake assistant, Emergency braking
signaling, autonomous emergency braking or emergency stop system • Keeping the lane: lane recognition system, lane departure warning, lane change assistant or support, electronic stability control
• Parking: reversing system, parking aid
• Lighting: high beam assistant, automatic light
• Driving comfort: Electronic damper control, power steering, intelligent speed assistance, automatic windscreen wipers, traffic sign recognition, tire pressure monitoring system
• Fatigue: attention assistant
Higher resale value thanks to driver assistance systems
In practice, the various assistants often show the driver how important it is to drive with consideration. Many are initially skeptical about the technical helpers, but in practice the assistants are convincing, according to a study. Some of the tech assistants can be turned on or off as needed. Due to the constant further development, the helpers are becoming more and more "intelligent" and above all more reliable. Operation is also becoming increasingly intuitive.
Expenditures for insurance, especially in commercial usemake up a significant proportion of the total cost of a fleet. If the technical equipment can reduce accidents, it turns out to be a sustainable and sensible investment that pays off in the end. Vehicles with different assistance systems also often have a higher resale value.
See and be seen
The saying “see and be seen” can also apply to road safety. In poor visibility conditions, for example in fog, on winding roads through the nocturnal forest or when there is a new moon, various measures can also help ensure that the vehicle driver has a good view of his surroundings.
In addition to the various light assistants and features, such as the glare-free high beam, which is now available in xenon technology and with LEDs, the choice of a suitable light source can also ensure better visibility. Today, new cars are often equipped with xenon headlights. LED technology also has innovative solutions ready.
The most important headlight systems at a glance:
Halogen headlights:
Many older vehicle models are equipped with this technology. The price-performance ratio is very good here. Depending on the model, different light sources are used (H3, HB3, H7 or H9 lamps). Halogen headlights can usually be recognized by the slightly yellowish colored light cones.
Xenon headlights:
The modern xenon headlights provide more than twice as much light output with around two thirds of the energy consumption of halogen lamps. The light color is more similar to white daylight and therefore appears more natural - especially to the human eye. This means that drivers tire more slowly and can drive more relaxed.
LED headlights:
This technology has only been allowed to be used for headlights since 2008. The advantages are that the lamp has a much longer service life. The maintenance costs can be reduced quite a bit. As a rule, the lamps no longer need to be replaced for the life of the vehicle. The small bulbs can be combined or bundled depending on the requirements and different light colors are available. This gives car designers a lot of leeway to create individual and suitable lighting solutions.
Reflectors for more visibility
For various purposes, vehicles in road construction or road cleaning must be equipped with additional reflectors. The exact regulations for marking with so-called warning markings are stipulated by the StVO (§ 35) and DIN 30710.
The conspicuously red and white striped foils are used on the vehicles for better visibility. They can then also be used for various special purposes. If the corresponding trolleys are also used for other purposes, it is also possible to attach the warning markings to the vehicle using mobile magnetic boards if necessary.
Safety vest compulsory since 2014
And since July 2014 the driver and front passenger can and must also contribute to safety. It has been mandatory to carry a safety vest in every vehicle in Germany for almost three years. What the vests should look like is also regulated by law (EN ISO 20471: 2013). Different regulations may apply for other countries.
Basically, you only have to carry one vest per vehicle, although it makes sense to have one available for other occupants as well. Anyone who is on the road without a safety vest in an emergency can be punished with a fine. In some European countries this can be very expensive. We also recommend stowing the vests within easy reach, for example in the side compartment of the door. In this way, they can be reached directly in an emergency and do not have to be searched out first.
Secure the load with lashing straps
Safety must also be given in the interior of the vehicle. Especially when work materials or devices have to be stowed in the interior or on the loading area or in the loading space, various helpers should not be missing on board - whether private or professional. The driver should always have enough lashing straps, slip mats or buffer material with them to protect the load. Either special compartments or boxes that can be attached to the vehicle or carried in the cargo area are suitable for storage.
In the case of tension belts, make sure that the attached information labels remain intact. They are attached to straps from a certain tension force and provide information about the maximum load capacity. Many drivers are bothered by it because the weatherproof notes often flutter strongly in the wind and remove the bright blue labels without thinking about it.
However, this can be expensive during a check, because the labels provide important information and allow conclusions to be drawn about correct load securing. If the blue slip is missing, a fine can be imposed. In the case of commercial use, it is important to train the staff accordingly and to draw their attention to the importance of suitable and tested material for securing loads. Because unsecured materials not only endanger your own safety, but also that of other road users.
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