Safety becoming more important to owners

2 July 2002: Four out of ten features listed by respondents to a J D Power survey in the US on what they'd like to see in their future cars were safety-related. In line with this trend, carmakers and safety systems manufacturers are working on a range of new and improved safety devices.

Installation of head airbags to protect occupants in a rollover are expected to double by 2004. meanwhile, as reported last week on IrishCar.Com, Renault will introduce a seat-cushion plate activated by pyrotechnics to reduce submarining later this year. The use of airbags to protect the knees will also become more common.

New restraint systems will be able to take car occupants' different physical makeup into account with personal occupant profiling expected to emerge from the use of more seat and dashboard sensors.

From around 2005 we can expect to see common use of night-vision systems, combined with drowsiness warning features.

June 2002