The Evolution of Auto Safety Over the Years

The Evolution of Auto Safety Over the Years

When people discuss the evolution of automotive technology, they most typically focus on performance: how fast a vehicle can go, versus how much fuel it uses. Changes in visual design are also a popular topic since cars are frequently great examples of pop art in motion.

However, the history of auto safety is often overlooked in these discussions. Modern vehicles are so much safer than those of years past, especially in the 20th Century. How has auto safety evolved over the years? Let’s take a look.

How Modern Auto Safety Came to Be

Unsurprisingly, early automotive designs were focused solely on creating a vehicle that functioned – and contained few, if any, safety features aside from some form of horn or other noisemaker. Early cars such as Model-Ts were deathtraps by modern standards, crumbling under even minor impacts, with the only saving grace being that high-speed travel was rare.

The first major advances in car safety came in the 1930s when General Motors began doing crash testing. This led to the development of the “crumple zone,” the idea that the front of a car should progressively collapse and absorb impact energy before it reaches the passengers.

Safety progress was stalled in the 1940s, due to World War II, but came back with renewed focus during the post-war boom. The first crash test dummy was developed in the 1950s, and this was also when seat belts first appeared. However, early seat belts only included the lap belt, and it would be many years before belts became legally mandatory.

Auto safety stagnated until the 1970s, when public awareness of safety issues peaked with a number of infamously flawed designs, such as how easily the Ford Pinto could catch fire after a rear impact. Manufacturers were under pressure to create better designs, and the airbag first gained popularity at this time.

From the 1980s to today, the emphasis has been on computer assistance. Anti-lock brakes allowed for better stability when braking, quickly becoming standard.

In modern times, computer-assisted monitoring has really taken off. Today’s cars are actively ‘watching’ the road around them, providing direct feedback to the driver to prevent accidents. Modern cars can spot pedestrians wandering into the road, alert the driver to sudden speed changes in cars ahead, or even issue warnings if the car is drifting out of its lane.

Fred’s Auto Repair

Fred’s Auto Repair puts a high priority on auto safety, and we proudly maintain safety systems in all modern vehicles. If you ever need repairs on a safety system, please come visit us in either of our locations in Briarcliff Manor or Shrub Oak.