New Delhi: Can technology succeed where humans fail? More people die in the world in road accidents than they do in terrorist attacks. This was stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) at a 2016 presentation. Road accidents across the world result in an estimated 1.25 million deaths every year. The WHO in its 2016 report said that developing countries bear the brunt of road safety casualties and not just deaths, but over 15 million people sustain critical injuries annually due to road accidents. Road accidents have several causes, ranging from infrastructural defects to breach of safety norms by drivers. Over the years, organisations around the world have worked towards developing technology that can aid drivers and reduce road accidents.
Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) estimates that around 70 per cent road accidents worldwide are caused due to driver negligence. Technological innovations and gadgets invented in the past few years aim to reduce road accidents by aiding drivers in better navigation, car maintenance and overall safety. These gadgets are available in the market, and depending on the requirement of a driver, these can be bought and installed to ensure safer roads for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Heads Up Display
Heads Up Displays use augmented reality to provide a layout of road networks while driving
Never miss a call or text while driving. San Francisco based technology company Navdy developed its Heads-Up display (HUD) and launched it in November 2016. The device uses augmented reality to provide a layout of road networks while driving. Further, it also allows the driver to take and make phone calls while driving without the HUD disappearing, allowing one to speak comfortably while keeping an eye on the road. Navdy’s HUD system also reads out text messages and emails aloud, helping the driver keep a track of notifications and reducing the chances of road accidents.
Digital Tire Gauge
Digital tire gauges give instant readings on tire pressure
A anywhere and everywhere tyre pressure check monitor that negates the need to physically take the car for a check, that is what US based vehicular accessories company Tekton has developed. Measuring tire pressure regularly is must for every car owner. Low tyre pressure can result in vehicles going wayward and causing accidents. The digital tyre gauge that measures tyre pressure instantly and gives a reading, reducing the tediousness and ensuring simplicity of this crucial function.
Lane Change Assists
Lane change assists warn drivers if they have drifted into a lane
Changing lanes in highways or otherwise is tricky, and can often causes accidents. Lane Change Assists developed by automobile companies all over the world assist drivers in changing lanes. These assists are equipped with radars with a range of up to 50 metres, and can detect if a vehicle is behind a moving car, thereby calculating the risk associated with changing a lane.
Alerting Apps
Alerting apps can alert about any possible malfunctions in the car before one sets off to drive
Problems in car parts can creep in when least expected cause accidents. Devices like Engie, developed by the French multinational corporation of the same name, help drivers keep track of all the important parts of a car, their status and health. If a part is malfunctioning, an alert is sent out to the driver for immediate attention. A device like Engie will definitely help curb road accidents by curtailing malfunctioning cars on roads.
360° Blind Spot Mirror
A 360 degree mirror can give a holistic view of the driver’s surroundings
Giving a wider view of the surroundings the 360° blind spot mirrors increases the viewing angle of side view mirrors, eliminating blind spots while driving. These mirrors provide a clear view of the surroundings, allowing the driver to comfortably maneuver the vehicle to avoid accidents.
Also Read: How European Countries Around The World Reduced Road Accident Casualties
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