Safety Sites | Anti-Lock Brakes | Air Bags | Seatbelts | Traction
Anti-lock Brake System Information
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) was originally developed in response to pressure from the insurance industry. With traditional brakes, emergency braking resulted in wheel lock up and, subsequently, the ability to steer ceased. The ABS differs in that it allows you to maintain control of a vehicle while simultaneously braking.
When you stop quickly, the wheels spin at different speeds. These speeds are read by sensors attached to the wheels, and then the anti-lock module is engaged to alternate the application of braking between the front left/rear right and front right /rear left wheels. The intermittent brake pressure prevents the wheel from locking while you steer through an emergency or sudden stop.
Anti-lock braking sensors are usually found on four wheels, but are occasionally found on only the rear wheels of light trucks. The anti-lock brake system may shorten the distance it takes to stop under adverse conditions because it pumps the brakes many times faster per second than a person can. For those instances when the braking distance is long or difficult, such as on loose gravel or fresh snow, you will still be able to steer around an obstacle.
If you are inexperienced with ABS, the sound and feel might be startling. When ABS engages, a series of pulses is felt through the brake pedal and a loud grating sound is heard. It is important to keep your foot on the brake when this happens. Easing-up on the brake or pumping the brake will disengage the anti-lock system. You should become comfortable with ABS by practicing braking in a parking lot before you hit the road.
Since their introduction, air bags have been credited with saving approximately 2,620 lives. When used in conjunction with a seatbelt, these passive restraints have reduced head injuries by 75% and chest injuries by 66%. There are several types of air bags on the market right now, including front air bags, side-mounted air bags, head air bags, and knee air bags. Each of these fills with a harmless gas when deployed, not air as the name suggests.
Of concern for many people is the risk of injury or death during deployment. Between 1997 and 1998 there were 1,800,000 air bag deployments, of which 87 people were killed. The majority of these deaths resulted from the occupant sitting too close to the air bag. Sitting too close to an air bag can also result in head, neck or chest injuries when it f deploys. A safe distance for adults to sit is at least ten inches from the air bag, whereas children should not sit in front of an air bag at all.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allows vehicle owners to obtain approval to have an on-off switch installed for the driver and/or the passenger side air bags. To qualify for permission to have an on-off switch installed, you must meet the following criteria:
You cannot sit in a position allowing 10 inches between the center of the steering wheel and the center of your breastbone.
You must transport infants riding in rear-facing infant seats in the front passenger seat.
You must transport children ages 1 to 12 in the front passenger seat.
Your doctors recommend that the air bag poses a special risk to your health that outweighs the risk of hitting your head, neck or chest in a crash if the air bag is disengaged.
The majority of people do not need an on-off switch, and almost everyone older than 12 years is much safer with air bags than without them. To use your air bag correctly, follow these tips:
Move the seat at least ten inches from an air bag and use your seatbelt every time.
Place children under 12 in the back seat.
Drive with both hands on the side of the wheel, not draped or laced, to prevent a broken arm if the air bag deploys.
Don't smoke in the car, as you could be burned if the air bag deploys.
Have the air bag inspected every ten years.
Replace the air bag after it is deployed.
Traction control systems are found primarily on sports and luxury cars. The traction control system works together with the anti-lock braking system to provide optimum traction in all driving conditions. Traction control greatly decreases the chance of loss of vehicle control by shifting power to the wheels with the most traction. This is achieved through a series of quick braking pulses and redirection of engine power through directional clutches in the rear differential. Vehicles with traction control systems may qualify for insurance discounts with certain insurance companies.
On average, NHTSA estimates that 9,500 lives are saved every year by wearing seatbelts. Unfortunately not everyone takes the time to buckle up or they may do so incorrectly. The lap belt needs to fit over your hips, not your abdomen, and the shoulder belt should lie on your chest and over your shoulder. Remove any slack from the belt.
Seatbelts have several functions in the event of an accident. They prevent passengers from being thrown from the vehicle, reduce the risk of collision with the steering wheel, windshield and dashboard thereby minimizing injuries. Seatbelts also distribute the shock of the crash over a larger part of the body, which disperses the shock causing less chance of acute injury. Another function is keeping you in a position that allows airbags to be the most beneficial to you.
A new innovation by auto manufacturers is the pretensioner seatbelt. This is similar to the air bag in that it can only be used one time and will need to be replaced after a crash. In an accident, pretensioners retract the seatbelt to remove excess slack. The seatbelt still needs to be adjusted as snugly as possible, as pretensioners are not powerful enough to pull you back into your seat.
Another new innovation in seatbelts is the energy management feature. This feature allows seatbelts to release enough slack to prevent the shoulder belt from allowing too much force from being exerted across your chest. This feature includes load limiters built into the shoulder belt retractor and/or tear stitching in the webbing that causes the seatbelt to extend gradually.
More auto manufactures are providing adjustable upper belts for a more comfortable fit. This feature is available with the three-point seatbelts and allows the height of the shoulder strap to accommodate a person's size. The adjustable seatbelt is usually equipped in the front seat but some manufacturers now provide the option for the back seat as well.
Safety Sites | Anti-Lock Brakes | Air Bags | Seatbelts | Traction
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