Ajoneuvoturvallisuus

Ajoneuvoturvallisuus refers to the measures and systems designed to protect occupants and other road users from injury or death in the event of a vehicle accident. This broad field encompasses both active and passive safety features. Active safety systems aim to prevent accidents from occurring in the first place, while passive safety systems are designed to minimize harm when an accident is unavoidable.

Active safety features include systems like anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). ADAS, in particular, has seen significant development, with technologies such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control becoming increasingly common. These systems use sensors, cameras, and radar to detect potential hazards and intervene to avoid or mitigate collisions.

Passive safety features focus on protecting occupants during a crash. Key elements include the vehicle's structural integrity, such as its crumple zones which absorb impact energy, and the occupant restraint systems. The most well-known restraint system is the seatbelt, which has been proven to dramatically reduce the severity of injuries. Airbags, deployed in milliseconds during a collision, provide a cushioning effect for occupants' heads and chests. Modern vehicles also incorporate advanced seatbelt technologies like pre-tensioners and load limiters. Head restraints are designed to prevent or reduce whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. The overall goal of ajoneuvoturvallisuus is to create vehicles that are as safe as possible for everyone on and around them.