Older drivers are some of the most experienced drivers on the road, but they also have to deal with slower reaction times and constantly changing technologies. Here are just a few features that automotive manufacturers have introduced to help senior drivers.
Forward Automatic Braking
Even if a senior driver isn’t tailgating, the diminishing reflex times that come along with the aging process can be dangerous in a car. Forward automatic-braking technology helps avoid the risk of a head-on collision by detecting the presence of another vehicle and applying the brakes to avoid an accident. This useful feature is also known as forward collision alert or forward collision warning, and it works by using laser, camera, or GPS sensors to scan a car’s surroundings for nearby obstacles.
Lane Departure Warning
We’ve all seen cars inadvertently swerving out of their lanes on the highway. This can be extremely dangerous, and senior drivers are at an increased risk of this behavior as a result of potentially decreased visual acuity. Fortunately, modern technology allows for a certain degree of automatic correction when this occurs. Also known as road departure mitigation or lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning systems use visual, audio, and vibration cues to alert drivers that they are swerving outside of their lanes. Some systems can even automatically steer the vehicles back onto the right track.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control, also known as autonomous cruise control or traffic-aware cruise control, goes far beyond the capabilities of standard cruise control systems with which senior drivers are likely to be familiar. This new technology still automatically regulates your speed, but it also uses radar sensors to locate vehicles in front of you and maintain a safe driving distance at all times. Because adaptive cruise control can regulate both your acceleration and braking, it’s an important safety feature that is especially handy on long road trips.
GPS Navigation
Even though mobile phones, and smartphones, in particular, are increasingly more common, plenty of senior drivers don’t want to be bothered with the complicated features of these devices. That’s why integrated GPS technology is such a convenient inclusion. By incorporating navigation software and displaying driving directions prominently on the dashboard, automotive manufacturers have made this particular element of driving technology as accessible and safe as possible.
Rear Backup Cameras
If you’ve ever parallel parked your car in a crowded city environment, you already know that it can be one of the trickiest driving maneuvers. This is especially true for senior drivers who may have limited mobility and be unable to crane their necks around to adequately check their blind spots when parking in this manner. Rear backup cameras provide a handy way to see what’s directly behind the car, facilitating an easier and safer parking experience.
While these features are both a tremendous convenience and a great way to increase driving safety, they are no substitutes for driving carefully. Be sure to select a vehicle with the safety features you need and always drive with caution.
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