Safety is becoming increasingly important to luxury car buyers. Wealthy people want vehicles that protect them and their passengers.
However, it is not always clear which brand offers the best safety profile. Now, however, numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show a winner: German automaker Audi.
The NHTSA examined the accident rate per 1,000 drivers and found that Audi had an accident rate of just 0.54, below technology leader Mercedes at 0.55 and well behind Subaru at 0.75.
Many people wonder why Audi is so safe. After all, Mercedes is the manufacturer that tends to bring the latest safety technology to market first.
The main reason seems to be the brand’s high investments in security technology in recent years. The company conducts and facilitates extensive internal research and development work bringing technologies to marketIt is available at a lower price than its competitors. Drivers benefit from comprehensive safety features across the entire range, not just high-end models.
Are advanced security features required?
Skeptics used to scoff at the value of advanced car safety features, calling them gimmicks. However, evidence suggests that it is effective, particularly in recent years. Advanced driver assistance systems have finally come of age and are having a noticeable impact on the number of insurance claims. Data from LexisNexis Risk Solutions indicates personal injury claims 27 percent lower With these systems, property damage falls by 19 percent.
These statistics are good news for drivers. This means that you can expect statistically different results when driving Audi vehicles than with conventional cars. It represents a real upgrade.
Car accident lawyer Adam S. Kutcher is on the front lines of the consequences of vehicle collisions. The attorney has extensive knowledge of how car accidents can cause damage.
“The people who come to us are real people who are often going through the most difficult time of their lives,” he says. “People are worried about who will pay their medical bills and lost wages, even if insurers are willing to pay for vehicle replacements. That’s why this new technology is so exciting for everyone working in this area. We don’t want people to get hurt. Instead, we want to ensure that everyone stays safe and as many people as possible avoid this harrowing experience.”
Currently, tort law helps victims of car accidents through additional provisions in the code. However, the reality is that despite receiving medical care, many people never recover from their injuries and are unable to return to work.
“We can sometimes get large rewards for people who are seriously injured in car accidents, but the financial compensation is always only partial,” Kutcher says. “Money cannot fix a disability or even a tragic death in the family due to a car accident. That’s why it’s the turn of car manufacturers to invest in this technology.”
The components of advanced driver safety systems
Advanced driver safety systems refer to a variety of technologies that automakers are incorporating into their vehicles thanks to advances in software and chip technology.
Automatic emergency braking is one of the most sought-after features. Vehicles can now brake independently of the driver if they believe an accident is imminent, preventing rear-end collisions and jackknifing at intersections.
In recent years, manufacturers have gradually expanded the range of situations in which this technology is activated. Previously, it was used solely to protect the driver from colliding with the car in front. Cameras can now detect cross traffic even when reversing and automatically brake.
Blind spot detection is another important technology. Vehicles now warn drivers when a car is in their blind spot and sometimes prevent them from leaving their lane if another vehicle is nearby, even if they turn the steering wheel.
Forward and rear collision warnings are also becoming more widespread. These inform the driver whether he is likely to be hit by another driver, giving him the opportunity to avoid or defend himself.
Audi also equips its vehicles with a clever pedestrian detection system. Computers and sensors analyze the road in front of you and watch for people walking on the street, even behind parked cars. Vehicles automatically brake when they believe an accident is likely.
Finally many Vehicles with advanced driver safety systems also have adaptive cruise control. This function adapts the speed of the vehicle to the traffic in front, accelerating and decelerating without the driver having to do anything. It is a safety feature because it eliminates human error. Drivers are far less likely to cause damage.
Should you buy a luxury car with advanced safety features?
The big question, of course, is whether you personally should buy a luxury car with advanced safety features. Many drivers never want to use these features again once they try them. This is certainly true for professional Lyft and Uber drivers.
However, the systems are expensive. Microchips are in short supply and these technologies generate billions of dollars in sunk costs that automobile manufacturers must cover.
“We would obviously like to see more people choosing to use advanced safety features in their vehicles,” admits Kutcher. “But when you look at the prices, it’s clear that the industry still has a long way to go before the technology is universally applicable.”
Repair costs are also an issue. A AAA study found that cars with automatic braking, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring require additional maintenance steps that are not required for conventional vehicles. Cars are simply too complicated for the average mechanic and require specialists with the right tools. Solutions are not easy.
Still, those who make the switch to these technologies almost always say it’s worth it. And that’s why European premium brands like Audi are so interested in integrating them into their new vehicles. Luxury is not just about comfort. This also includes a certain level of security.
Surprisingly, more than one in ten drivers turn off their vehicle’s safety systems, rendering them inoperable. Perhaps this will be prevented by regulation in the future.
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