A forward collision warning system monitors the vehicle’s speed, the speed of the vehicle in front of it and the distance between the vehicles. If the vehicle gets too close to the vehicle ahead, the system will warn the driver of an impending crash. It’s important to note that forward collision warning systems only provide a warning to the driver and do not take action to avoid a crash. Watch how it works.

A lane departure warning system monitors lane markings and alerts the driver when it detects that the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. It’s important to note that a lane departure warning system only provides a warning to the driver and does not take action to avoid a crash.

Rear cross traffic warning alerts the driver of potential collisions, while in reverse, that may be outside the view of the backup camera.

Blind spot warning systems alert drivers with an audio or visual warning if there are vehicles in adjacent lanes that the driver may not see when making a lane change. Watch how it works.

Automatic emergency braking systems apply the vehicle’s brakes automatically in time to avoid or mitigate an impending forward crash with another vehicle. NHTSA believes AEB systems represent the next wave of potentially significant advances in vehicle safety. Dynamic brake support and crash imminent braking are AEB systems that potentially save lives and reduce moderate and less severe rear-end crashes that are common on our roadways. Watch how it works.

A pedestrian automatic emergency braking system uses information from forward sensors to detect a pedestrian in the vehicle’s path. The system will provide automatic braking if the driver has not acted to avoid a crash. Watch how it works.

Rear automatic braking uses sensors, like parking sensors and the backup camera, to detect objects behind the vehicle. If the system detects a potential collision while in reverse, it automatically applies the brakes if a crash is imminent.

Blind spot intervention helps prevent a collision with a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot. If the driver ignores the blind spot warning, and starts to change to a lane where there’s a vehicle, the system activates and automatically applies light braking pressure, or provides steering input to guide the vehicle back into the original lane. The system monitors for vehicles in the driver’s blind spot using rear-facing cameras or proximity sensors.

Adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to keep a pre-set distance between it and the vehicle in front of it.

Lane centering assistance utilizes a camera-based vision system designed to monitor the vehicle’s lane position and automatically and continuously apply steering inputs needed to keep the vehicle centered within its lane.

Lane keeping assistance helps prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of its lane. The system uses information provided by lane departure warning sensors to determine whether the vehicle is about to unintentionally move out of its lane of travel. If so, the system activates and corrects the steering, brakes or accelerates one or more of the wheels, or does a combination of both, resulting in the vehicle returning to its intended lane of travel.

Automatic high beams automatically switch the vehicle’s headlights between the lower beam and the higher beam, based on lighting conditions and traffic, when an oncoming vehicle approaches. This technology, also known as semi-automatic beam switching headlamps, uses photometric sensors or onboard cameras to detect when to switch between high and low beams.

A backup camera, also known as a rearview video system, helps prevent backover crashes and protect our most vulnerable people — children and senior citizens. By providing an image of the area behind the vehicle, a backup camera helps the driver see behind the vehicle while in reverse. It’s important to remember that backup cameras are not a replacement for mirrors or turning around to look. As of May 2018, NHTSA requires this lifesaving technology on all new vehicles. Watch how it works.

An automatic crash notification system is designed to notify emergency responders that a crash has occurred and provide its location. In most cases, when the system detects that an air bag has deployed or that there’s been a dramatic and sudden deceleration, the system automatically connects to an operator, who will then be able to communicate with the driver. The operator is also able to collect basic information from the vehicle, without driver input, to provide to emergency responders so they can easily locate the scene of the crash. Automatic crash notification systems can reduce death and disability by decreasing the time it takes for emergency medical services to arrive at a crash scene and transport victims to a hospital.