In our modern age it is almost impossible to imagine life without rapidly advancing technology. Children today are brought up surrounded by all sorts of gadgets which they are often proficient at using. When people think of new technologies they often think mainly about high definition TVs or new games consoles and mobile phones. Less consideration is given to progress in areas that are extremely important, such a vehicle safety. Today, cars, trucks and motorcycles are taken for granted by most families. It is hard to believe that mass production of motor vehicles only really began about a century ago.
Early cars looked very different to those we see on the highway today, and performance was also very dissimilar. Cars today vary in performance, but almost all can reach quite high speeds quickly, and are able to competently maintain highway speeds without hassle. As acceleration improved and vehicle top speed increased, changes to automotive brakes were also necessary. There is no doubt that car technologies have come a long way, from the use of pneumatic tires to power steering and anti-lock automotive brakes. Keeping drivers and passengers safe has long been a priority, and safety belts have helped to save lives. Airbags are now used in locations throughout modern cars, helping to protect from side impacts as well as head on collisions. Vehicles themselves are also built with accidents in mind – crumple zones aim to control the force of the impact and prevent excessive damage occurring where passengers will be affected. Increasing thought is also put into pedestrian safety. Although it is obvious that when a human is hit by a moving car, the person will come off worse, car designers try to prevent certain injuries from being so severe, as in certain instances this can make the difference between life and death. Improvements in automotive brakes can make stopping or docking speed in emergency situations easier, but if a collision occurs with a pedestrian, other measures can also help, such as the careful positioning of potentially dangerous metal parts to less dangerous areas.
As we look to become more environmentally friendly, the cars we have grown to know over the last decades may well change. It is thought that technology will continue to evolve rapidly over the next century, and hopefully these advances will be used to benefit mankind and our planet. Medical science means that a lot of injured and ill people can now be saved, but avoiding accidents is still vital. Driving safely should be the priority when on the roads. If a driver is tired, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is otherwise not in a fit state to operate a motor vehicle, then they should not drive at all. Even with all the improvements in car safety and automotive brakes, accidents can and do happen, so drivers need to be responsible and drive carefully and sensibly. It is hard to say what cars will be like in another hundred years, but there is little doubt there will always be car enthusiasts, as these vehicles have a way of capturing our hearts and minds.
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