The Vision Zero Automotive Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to educating and encouraging the saving of lives through the addition of collision-avoiding vehicle technologies.
The mission, simply stated, is to save lives. Using several Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and technologies developed for the automotive aftermarket, we have the power to make an impact now. We want to use that power to every driver’s advantage. Not in ten years. Not next year. Not next week. Not tomorrow. Today, right this minute, the aftermarket consumer electronics industry has the products and the technology that can help drivers avoid deadly accidents. Our mission is to get those products into cars and trucks that already exist, now. And once we do, we can help avoid 10,000 deaths on U.S. roads annually.
We support the Vision Zero initiative. Together, we believe that we can make the great American open roads safer for everyone. We are experts at installing these technologies which not only make driving safer but also enhance your driving experience and extend the life of your vehicle. Here are some of the important, life-saving technologies that we can add to your vehicle.
Blind Spot Detection Systems
Serious accidents, or instances of road rage, can result from a driver switching into a lane and colliding with a vehicle that is there or causing another driver to take drastic action to avoid an accident, which in turn can cause an accident with other vehicles. This is due to the natural blind spot that exists between the driver’s native view and the viewable area reflected in the side mirror.
Blind spot detection systems let drivers know if the lane is clear or occupied before making a change. Cameras or radar-based sensors continuously monitor the blind spots on both sides of the vehicle. If, over a certain speed, the system detects a vehicle or other object in the blind spot, it will create a visual alert for the driver. On more advanced systems, drivers receive a more urgent audible and/or visual alert if the turn signal is applied while a vehicle is in the blind spot.
Did you know? A blind spot detection system can be added to your existing vehicle.
Collision Avoidance Systems
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of vehicle accident. They occur because a driver cannot reliably see what’s happening beyond the vehicle in front of him or her. If the driver in front reacts to a situation, either by swerving to avoid it or braking rapidly, it leaves little time for the driver behind to assess the situation and make what could be a life-saving decision.
Collision avoidance systems warn drivers of potential accidents before they happen. Front-facing cameras and sensors help the system monitor not only the vehicles ahead, but also the flow of movement. If the system detects an anomaly in traffic flow, it sends an urgent warning to the driver, giving him or her ample time to apply the brakes or maneuver out of the way.
Did you know? A collision avoidance system can be added to your existing vehicle.
Lane Departure Warning Systems
It’s very easy to inadvertently move out of one lane into another when a distraction causes the driver not to notice when the road has curved, or inattentive driving lets the vehicle drift. In fact, some of the most horrific accidents result from head-on collisions when a vehicle drifts into an opposite lane.
Lane departure warning systems (LWDS) alert drivers when the vehicle is drifting. Forward-facing cameras allow the system to see the lane markers while taking other factors into account, such as the vehicle speed and whether the turn signal is applied. If the system determines that the vehicle is inadvertently moving into the next lane, it provides an audible or visual notification to the driver. Lane keeping systems go one step further by automatically nudging the vehicle back into the proper lane.
Did you know? A lane departure warning system can be added to your existing vehicle.
Parking Aid Systems
While not usually fatal, slow-moving accidents from parking or maneuvering in tight spaces can be costly and time-wasting. The ability to parallel park varies among drivers based on their individual skill.
Backup camera systems aid drivers in avoiding vehicles and obstacles while parking. A rear-facing camera lets the driver see a wide-angle view of what’s behind the vehicle, minimizing the chance of hitting an obstacle. The same technology can be applied to the front of the vehicle, either as an add-on or as part of a more feature-rich system.
Did you know? A backup camera system can be added to your existing vehicle.
360-Degree Camera Systems
Safe driving doesn’t just apply to road or highway speeds. Moving in and out of tight spaces and maneuvering around vehicles and obstacles are daily requirements for drivers of delivery and service vehicles and of vehicles towing trailers, for example. While parking sensors protect the front and rear bumpers, they don’t account for potential side impact obstacles such as poles, protrusions or mirrors of other vehicles.
360-degree camera systems help drivers avoid obstacles of all types while maneuvering. The system uses one or more cameras to monitor all around the vehicle. Using internal software, it provides a live image that shows the vehicle’s environment and movement in real time on the vehicle’s display. Through the combination of native views and a 360-degree display, a driver can reliably avoid obstacles from all angles.
Did you know? A 360-degree camera system can be added to your existing vehicle.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Unlike years ago when music was both kept and enjoyed in the vehicle, most people take their entertainment with them in the form of their smartphones. In addition to music, phones provide maps and navigation, connect users to others via voice or message, and keep their owners moving with information and updates throughout the day.
As indispensable as phones are, it stands to reason that users want to have access to them while driving. However, phones are designed to be full-focus devices. Holding or operating a cell phone while driving is No. 2 on the list of most distracting actions by drivers, according to a 2018 report of data analyzed by Erie Insurance housed in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a nationwide census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Apple® CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ let drivers access entertainment and information options from their smartphones through the larger, safer interface of the car radio, which is designed to minimize distraction. Apple CarPlay is integration software designed by Apple that allows a car radio to become the control interface of a connected iPhone®. Android Auto, designed by Google™, performs the same core function for compatible smartphones using the Android operating system.
Drivers can use approved music streaming, navigation, phone and messaging apps from their smartphones by accessing the apps from the radio’s touchscreen or by using the phone’s voice recognition system. All content, including music, map displays, song/title/artist information, voice commands and responses are managed through the car radio and audio system.
Did you know? Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can be added to your existing vehicle.
All of this and more is available for sale and installation at our facility.
Vehicle Upgrades: Improving Vision After Dark
Modern vehicles have taken tremendous steps forward in overall safety, including things like air bags, crumple zones, adaptive braking and much more. Surprisingly, headlight technology in the U.S. has not changed much, due to standards in place since 1967. The issue has become so significant, that in 2016, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety began testing new vehicle headlight systems, giving them a rating of either good, moderate or poor. In the 2016 model year, only 2 of 95 headlight systems received a rating of good. By 2020, only 6 vehicles of 159 tested received a good rating across all trim levels. Often, safer headlight systems are only offered as optional.
Stopping
Poor quality headlights limit the distance that the driver can see down the road and offer less clarity of vision. If you see an obstacle or dangerous situation in front of you, it is too late to stop your vehicle before engaging it. When reaction time, vehicle braking distance and visibility are calculated, any speeds over 45 mph become unsafe.
Eyesight Deterioration
Perhaps you’ve experienced a grandparent, parent or even yourself saying “I don’t like driving at night.” Research shows over time eyes become less sensitive to light. On average, a 50 year old driver needs twice as much light for the same visibility as they did at age 25.
How can you improve your headlights?
One fairly simple way is to make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Lights that are pointed too high will blind oncoming drivers. Lights that are pointed too low will reduce the distance you can see. Vehicle owners’ manuals typically offer guidance on how to adjust aim of the headlight system, or you may choose to have a qualified technician perform the service for you.
Of course, you can always do the research to find what vehicles have top rated headlights and purchase one of them. Fairly unpractical for most people.
An increasingly popular option is to replace the old technology halogen bulbs with newer LED technology. Just as LED technology has replaced so many of the lights in our homes, they have become the new standard for automotive lighting. They typically offer a much higher color temperature and will light the roadway with more of a “daylight” effect rather than dingy yellow. Just as home LED bulbs, they offer a significantly longer lifespan and require less electricity to operate. A properly designed LED headlight bulb will extend the range of your vision and not produce unwanted glare to oncoming traffic when properly aimed.