Say what you want about the role of government intervention in the development of new vehicles, but regulation has played no small part in advancing the conversation about car safety technology. As cars have become larger, heavier, and more powerful, they've also become safer than ever before: able to anticipate a crash, outmaneuver danger, and reduce harm to occupants. Here are just some of the highlights over the last 100 years.
Seatbelts
In 1968, the U.S. government formally recognized what some privateer drivers, auto manufacturers, and the state of New York had supposed: You'll stay safer inside the car if you wear a seatbelt. Front lap belts became mandatory by law. It wouldn't be until five years later that the government would mandate three-point belts up front, and six years later that the Feds tried to enforce seatbelt use with an unfortunate engine cutoff switch.
While seatbelts were standard equipment as of the late 1960s, they weren't required for use until 1984 in the United States. The first state to enforce compulsory seatbelt use was New York, and most states soon followed suit with their own versions of the law. Today, the only state without seatbelt regulations is New Hampshire.
Crash Standards
Starting in 1968, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 203 and 204 governed crashworthiness of new cars and trucks on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "all passenger cars since model year 1968, as well as many 1967 models, appear to have met the Standards." Good news in the luxury segment: The G80 was awarded a "Top Safety Pick Plus" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Active Emergency Braking
In order to be a true competitor in a fast-adapting market, a luxury car needs to respect its occupants as much as it does pedestrians. That's why active emergency braking, which uses front-mounted sensors to anticipate and mitigate potential crashes, and warn the driver of impending danger, is standard on the Genesis G90. Consider it a significant advancement over bumpers and a set of brakes. Looking for a more evolved seatbelt? Check out the active seatbelt system in the G90, which can anticipate a crash and tighten the belts under hard braking or if the sedan suddenly loses traction.
Haptic Steering Wheel
Like so many advancements in automotive technology, haptic controls, which send vibrations to major switches and touch points for effect, first premiered in aircraft. Today, the evolution of haptic technology means that your car can alert you that you're swerving out of a lane without audible or visual signals—just a slight vibration in the steering wheel. Turn on lane-keep assist on the Genesis G90, and let the car do the rest of the work to keep you on the straight and narrow. Because it's all too easy to weave and wobble in between the lines on the road, no matter how hard you concentrate.
Air Bags
ABS
No less important than passive safety equipment is a good set of brakes. In 2004, anti-lock brakes became standard equipment on all new cars, eliminating sources of consternation in inclement driving conditions and high-speed situations. (Standard electronic stability control would follow, almost a decade later.)
Driver Attention Alert
Taking long road trips is an American tradition. Staying awake for them is a necessity. Driver Attention Alert traces its tech-focused roots to the need for keeping focused while driving. By analyzing driver behavior, including steering inputs and changes in direction, the Genesis G90 can tell if it's time for a break, keeping road trips safe and enjoyable.
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