Enhancing driver confidence

Learn how the latest technology advances can help you while on the road

By Betsy Butler, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

July 11, 2024 – Seeing at night, changing lanes, merging on the highway and overcoming distractions with the vehicle are among the top concerns of experienced drivers.

To help with these everyday challenges, a growing number of vehicles on the road today are equipped with safety features that help drivers reduce or avoid collisions. Being aware of the latest vehicle technology and knowing how to use it can not only keep you and your passengers safer, but also make you more confident behind the wheel.

Heed the audible, visual and tactile warnings these technologies use to alert you to pay closer attention. Read your owner’s manual, and keep the informational labels that are affixed to the vehicle. Do your research when looking for a vehicle with the technology features you want — review safety ratings, search manufacturer websites and visit local dealerships for more information.

AARP’s free Smart DriverTEK workshop offers a 90-minute review of the latest safety features available in vehicles. Sessions are available in-person or online.

Here are some of the advances in technology that can help keep you safe on the road:

• Forward collision warnings: When the driver is approaching another vehicle too quickly, sensors monitoring safe following distance trigger an alert.
• Automatic emergency braking: Brakes are automatically applied to prevent or lessen the severity of a collision.
• Blind-spot warnings: Proximity sensors monitor objects in blind spots. Flashing or changing colors that increase in intensity provide a subtle alert, especially helpful while changing lanes. 
• Adaptive cruise control: Like regular cruise control, this feature automatically accelerates or decelerates the vehicle to establish a safe following distance, based on the desired speed and distance set by the driver.
• Safety technologies: Cameras help you judge distances and see what is behind the vehicle when backing up. If the driver does not respond to an audible warning, some systems automatically apply the rear brakes. Other sensors provide an alert when a vehicle approaches from the left or right of the vehicle. Systems may not detect pedestrians or small objects.
• Lane departure warnings: Sensors and cameras monitor the vehicle’s placement in the lane, issuing flashing lights and other warnings if the driver unintentionally enters another lane. The driver uses the turn signal to communicate an intentional lane departure to the vehicle.
• Drowsy-driver alerts: To ensure the driver is alert and attention is fixed on the road, sensors and cameras monitor driving behavior, such as the vehicle’s placement in the lane. Some systems may even monitor the driver’s eyelids. Repeated unintentional veering triggers a warning.
• Smart headlights: High beams are automatically turned on, providing more light and making it easier to see on dark, curvy roads. When the need passes, they are dimmed automatically.
• Active parking assistance: Sensors detect the size of a parking space.
• Emergency response system: Automatically triggered in the event of a collision, with GPS technology sending details of the vehicle’s exact location or crash diagnostics.

Betsy Butler

Betsy Butler is the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System’s knowledge and issues strategist, researching information on pensions, retirement and health care. Betsy came to OPERS in 2009 after working as a special collections librarian for two OPERS employers: the Ohio History Connection and Miami University.