Active and Passive Safety: The Two Pillars of Road Safety, Road safety is a major societal issue. Every year, millions of road accidents occur worldwide, causing serious injuries and deaths. To reduce this number, it is essential to implement effective safety measures. Among these, active safety and passive safety play a crucial role.
What is active safety?
Active safety aims to prevent road accidents by improving the driver’s ability to control their vehicle and react to dangerous situations. It encompasses all the technologies and systems that contribute to:
- Improving driver perception: headlights, position lights, windshield wipers, mirrors, etc.
- Improving braking: ABS, ESP systems, etc.
- Improving road holding: tires, suspension, etc.
- Assisting the driver: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, etc.
What is passive safety?
Passive safety aims to limit physical damage in the event of an accident. It encompasses all the elements that protect the vehicle’s occupants:
- Seat belts
- Airbags
- Safety cages/roll bars
- Deformable passenger cell
- Collapsible steering column
Differences and Complementarity
Active safety and passive safety are two complementary aspects of road safety. Active safety helps to avoid accidents, while passive safety helps to limit the damage in the event of an accident.
Concrete Examples
Here are some concrete examples of active and passive safety technologies:
Active Safety
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This system detects obstacles and automatically brakes the vehicle if the driver does not react.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): This system maintains a constant speed while keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
- Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS): This system warns the driver when they unintentionally cross a white line.
Passive Safety
- Seat belts: They restrain the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a collision.
- Airbags: They inflate in the event of a collision to protect the vehicle’s occupants.
- Safety cages/Roll bars: They protect the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a rollover.
Conclusion
Active safety and passive safety are two essential elements of road safety. By combining these two approaches, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of road accidents and save lives.