Vehicle safety has seen radical change over the last century from seat belts and head restraints, to crumple zones and blind spot sensors. The evolution of such safety features has made a significant difference to the number and severity of road collisions. In recent years safety features such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and electronic stability control (ESC) have been developed however, not all vehicle safety features and technologies are mandatory. For example AEB is currently fitted to approximately 21% of new vehicles, whilst it is an optional extra for only a further 27%. Given that Euro NCAP will not award their maximum five star safety rating to a vehicle without AEB, we anticipate that this percentage will increase over the coming years.
With the future of motor transport being reshaped, safety standards will need to be constantly reviewed and adapted to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and other road users remains a priority. The infographic takes you through the history of vehicle safety and how it has evolved over the last 100 years.