Passive Action: Greater Integration of Active and Passive Safety Technologies Could Give Rise to Many Opportunities to Improve Crash Safety

This article explores how both passive and active safety systems in automobiles can combine to yield big safety improvements. The author discusses combining pre-crash and crash response systems, such as collision detectors, automatic braking, driver alert systems, tailored deployment (based on occupant body size and position), seatbelt injuries, optimizing airbag deployment with the vehicle’s structure and crash loading, driver behavior (in terms of activating pre-crash systems), improved rollover detection, and protection from secondary impacts. One sidebar mentions the Euro NCAP 2020 roadmap that focuses on safety goals for four areas: occupant protection in front and side crashes, autonomous braking for cars and vulnerable road users, lateral assist systems, and speed and impaired driving. Another sidebar summarizes some of the active and passive safety technologies that are being developed for motorcyclists.