Active and Passive Safety Features in Cars

With cars becoming more advanced to match the modern lifestyle, the safety and security features they offer are also evolving. These changes are introduced to make driving a relaxing yet safe experience for everyone. But, with the unfortunate rise in cases of road accidents worldwide, introducing merely new features is not enough anymore.

The need of the hour calls for cars that can smoothly sail through challenging road conditions while making sure the occupants are safe in every condition. This change in design mindset has been reflected in passive safety features in a car diminishing and car manufacturers making every effort to test and implement new features to make driving safer and more enjoyable. 

Here’s everything you need to know about this design shift, how it impacts your safety on the road, and the key differences:

What Are Active Car Safety Features?

Active car safety features can be lifesaving. These systems are designed to actively prevent or mitigate risks of accidents by strategically managing core parts like the steering, braking, and propulsion systems. This enhances the driving experience while adding additional safety layers. These systems are advanced and carry the ability to communicate with you directly, making you aware of the potential risks. 

Some common aspects of active car safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control to ensure that a safe distance is maintained between your car and others. 
• Active self-correcting steering systems to make sure you are driving safely in your lane, regardless of the road. 
• Antilock brakes to make immediate braking more effective. With careful measures, the feature can achieve higher accuracy and lower chances of skidding. 
• Active headlight beam aiming systems make it easy to follow the road irrespective of the weather condition, making your vehicle ready for driving no matter where. 
• Brake Assist for faster braking in emergencies.
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to prevent vehicles from skidding.
• Hill Hold Assist to prevent the vehicle from rolling back when parked or braked on an inclined plane. 

The active safety features in a car are controlled electronically or hydraulically. They are deeply ingrained in the car’s anatomy, allowing the safety system to work simultaneously with the driver. This ensures better vehicle control and consistent attempts to reduce the likelihood of accidents. 

What Are Passive Car Safety Features?

The passive car safety features are designed to protect the car and the occupants in the car against impact during and after an accident. The passive features also protect other drivers on the road, enhancing road safety. 

Some common passive car safety features include:

• Seat belts drastically reduce the risk of grave injuries and fatality by securing passengers securely to their seats. This distributes impact forces, making the car safe. 
• Airbags protect against striking the head against the interiors of the car. To avoid any injuries related to airbags, make sure you are seated properly and have seatbelts on.
• Seats that have head restraints that protect against neck injuries in case the vehicle suddenly comes to a halt. 
• The side beam bars can ensure the occupants are protected against side collisions. They work by absorbing and dispersing the impact. The safety feature prevents the door from getting too far into the passenger’s compartment. 
• Highly durable and shatterproof glass, so in case of a collision where the impact is high, the glass won’t break, protecting against injuries. 
• The cars are designed with active aerodynamics coupled with active suspension, ensuring minimum drag. 
• Crumple zones help reduce the impact of the crash and enhance the occupant’s safety. 

Passive car safety features are designed to prevent the impact of accidents from reaching the passengers. To ensure the efficiency of these systems, it’s essential that after an accident, they are thoroughly checked and replaced for consistent performance in terms of safety. 

Active vs. Passive Car Safety Features — What’s the Difference?

Active and passive car safety features are responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers. The following are the key differences between these systems:

How Do Active and Passive Systems Work Together? 

With vehicle technology becoming more robust and advanced, active and passive car safety features work together to ensure passenger safety and well-being. These systems are designed to work together in co-ordination.

For instance, the active car safety system constantly monitors the surroundings and vehicle dynamics to protect the passengers as well as the vulnerable road users. When these systems detect the potential for accidents like a sudden need for braking, a vehicle in the blind spot, or headlight-related concerns, they warn the driver through signals. 

These signals can range from flashing lights and vibration in the steering wheel to even beeps to get attention. With these, the driver can correct their course or let the automated assistance handle the situation. These smart systems are designed to lower the risk of collision by utilising technology like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). 

In cases where a collision happens despite the active car safety system’s warnings and efforts, the passive car safety system comes into play to protect the vehicle and passengers from damage. For instance, the crumple zone is designed to lower the impact by deforming in a controlled manner during the crash. Seatbelts securely position the passengers in their seats, ensuring the airbags can protect them against the impact of the collision. 

The combination of active and passive car safety features ensures passenger safety by using a combination of risk mitigation techniques.