Distractions, Traffic jams, Accidents; Yes, it’s no secret that drivers could always be a little more careful on the roads.
Fortunately, there are some cool gadgets and features out there that can help everyone drive more safely.
In the 21st century, there’s no reason not to have a few extra features in your car that can cut down on distracted driving and help out in dangerous situations. Here are a few of them that you should look into if safety is a concern of yours.
Navigation
One of the most helpful inventions in the last decade or so is GPS, and nowadays, most cars are equipped with it. With a few touches, the navigation system can direct you to where you are going, so that even in unfamiliar places, you can drive with confidence.
A good GPS system should be able to choose the fastest — or most convenient — route for you. It should also be able to reroute with quick precision in case of road work or other traffic problems. Many systems also have voice command, where you simple tell it where you want to go rather than having to enter the destination manually.
Advanced features can include full color and 3D views, which are not only helpful but look really cool!
Hands Free
Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic problems. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from the road, and cell phones are the number one culprit.
Hands-free devices help alleviate this problem. These devices use Bluetooth technology to connect your phone to your car’s audio system, allowing you to talk, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Essentially, it turns your car into a moving speaker phone. If your vehicle comes equipped with one, then you usually just have to press a button on the steering wheel and use voice commands to make and receive calls.
There are also aftermarket devices that simply connect to your car through USB or other cables. These are relatively cheap and easy to install yourself.
Parking Assist
Many vehicles, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, offer parking assist options that make parallel parking easier and safer. Unlike hands-free devices and GPS, these aren’t readily available aftermarket, so if you want it, you need to make sure your vehicle comes equipped.
Parking assist works by using the system’s central computer to calculate the movements needed to park, fed to it by external cameras. The system takes over the acceleration and steering from the driver, and navigates the car into the spot easily. This helps cut down on the time it takes to park, as many people have trouble parallel parking, freeing up traffic and preventing accidents.
Parking assist can cost a lot at the time purchase, so make sure it’s within your budget.
These are just a few of the devices out there can help you drive more safely.
William Hilton is the gadget king! One of the first to try the latest piece of kit, he writes about how these gadgets are changing our lives; and which ones you should get! His articles appear on tech and gadget blogs, men’s lifestyle sites and more.
