New Zealand is on the Road to Zero – aiming for a 40% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2040. The strategy to achieve this includes improving our roads, educating drivers and boosting rail public transport.

But another important factor is vehicle safety. Modern cars are dramatically safer than older cars (as these crash tests demonstrate), thanks to new features and ever-increasing safety standards. The next generation of cars will be even safer, thanks to some of the innovative features currently being developed by car manufacturers.

Some of these technologies might feel futuristic now, but once new features begin arriving in top-end models they can quickly trickle down through the market. For instance, five or ten years ago, lane keep assist and emergency braking were only available in top-end European cars, but now they’re available on almost every modern car.

Heads-up augmented reality display

Heads-up display has been available for some time, but new technology is allowing it to go further than ever. Not only will heads-up display help you keep your eyes on the road, soon it could provide visual and audio cues when it detects obstacles, avoiding them and letting you know what it’s doing at the same time.

Augmented reality driver assistance has been shown to lead to safer driving performances, and it may be arriving in market soon. Continental AG, which supplies automotive technology to brands including VW, GM, Daimler AG and Toyota, says the technology will be ready “in the near future,” adding that this is “a key technology for automated driving.”

© Continental AG 2023

External airbags

Last year, Ford patented an external airbag system that would pop out from the front grille of your car if sensors detect a collision. It could be used in all types of cars, including autonomous cars, as well as taxis and buses. This could improve not only occupant safety, but also pedestrian safety.

German auto supply company ZF also has a prototype external airbag for side impacts, and it says the device could reduce injury severity by 40%.

Infrared laser headlights

In January this year, Japan’s Kyocera launched an infrared laser car headlight that it says will deliver 100 times the brightness of LEDs, at one-tenth the size, without dazzling oncoming drivers. The LaserLight can see up to a kilometre of road ahead, giving triple the visibility of current headlights, giving drivers more time to see and avoid obstacles.

Some laser headlights are already in market, found in brands like BMW, Audi and Mercedes, for example. With the technology ready to go, hopefully infrared laser lights won’t be far behind.

© 2022 KYOCERA SLD Laser Inc

Biometric driver monitoring systems

Long-haul truck drivers already make use of cameras that track eye movements and blinking, making sure they keep their eyes on the road instead of being distracted or falling asleep.

The next step is biometric driver monitoring, which will keep track of your heartrate, eye movements, and blood pressure. Medical events can be an important cause of death or injury when driving, and biometric data will be able to sense if a driver falls asleep or loses consciousness. The car will then be able to perform an automatic stop, and potentially call for help. Mitsubishi is one of the brands pioneering this technology.

Safe exit assists prevents accidents when you open your door

Cameras and sensors aren’t just looking inside the car – now they’re also looking outwards to protect pedestrians, cyclists and animals.

For example, ‘dooring’ is among the most common types of collision between vehicles and cyclists, with around 50 dooring accidents occurring every year in Aotearoa, according to University of Otago research.

Safe exit assist technology can now prevent dooring accidents, by sensing oncoming cars or bikes and warning and preventing doors from opening until the coast is clear. This video shows how it works, and this innovation is already available in some Kia and Hyundai models.

Safer cars protect you, your passengers, and others on the road

Car safety is a vital aspect of bringing down the road toll in Aotearoa, because they not only protect you and your passengers, but also other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Here at AA, we recommend you prioritise vehicle safety when you buy a car – or when you buy a car for a new driver in your family. You can learn more about used vehicle safety ratings here, and read about new car safety ratings here. If you’re buying a new car and you have the option to upgrade to new safety features, do give it some serious consideration; these features could save your life, or someone else’s.

An AA Pre Purchase Inspection can also help you assess the roadworthiness of a car you’re thinking about buying. To find safety ratings for a car you’re looking at, enter the model or numberplate at Rightcar.govt.nz.