Early Safety Features
Vehicle safety technology began in the 1930s with features like laminated windshields and hydraulic brakes. Interestingly, the first seat belt was introduced by Nash Motors in 1949, long before it became a standard feature.
Anti-lock Braking System
ABS prevents wheel lock-up during braking, reducing skidding. First introduced in the 1970s for aircraft, ABS became widespread in cars by the late '80s. It's a precursor to more advanced electronic stability control systems.
Electronic Stability Control
ESC, introduced in the mid-1990s, improves vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction. Surprisingly, it can reduce the risk of fatal accidents by up to 34% for cars and 59% for SUVs.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Going beyond maintaining a set speed, adaptive cruise control systems use sensors to adjust speed, maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead. First appeared on Japanese cars in the early 90s, it's now a step towards autonomous driving.
Pedestrian Detection Systems
Modern vehicles often include systems that can detect pedestrians and apply brakes to prevent a collision. These systems use a combination of radar, lidar, and cameras, and started becoming available in the 2000s.
Side Impact Airbags
Side airbags protect occupants from side collisions, which can be particularly dangerous. Since their introduction in the 1990s, they've evolved to include curtain airbags, protecting the head in rollovers and side impacts.
When were laminated windshields introduced?
In the 1930s
In the 1940s
In the 1950s
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