Advanced Safety Systems
Over the past few years, advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, have made their way from luxury cars to most new vehicles on the market. Not all cars have the same slate of systems, but common options include:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traction control
The good news is that these safety systems, now more accessible than ever, are saving lives, reducing injuries and preventing crashes. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, cars enabled with forward collision warning plus autobrake see a 50% reduction in front-to-rear crashes. For cars with rear automatic braking, a rearview camera and parking sensors, there’s a remarkable 78% reduction in backing crashes.
With such impressive results, even in this relatively early stage of use, it’s hard to imagine a downside. Unfortunately, though, the same sensitivity that makes these systems so effective also makes them prone to expensive repairs—even after minor accidents.
Why are advanced driver assistance systems so costly to fix?
For older-model cars, a small bumper dent, a sideswiped mirror or a chipped window wouldn’t necessarily result in expensive repairs. Filler and new paint might cover the bumper, a mirror replacement could be found and paint-matched, and a little resin might be able to maintain the window’s integrity. But for a car with ADAS, even fender benders can result in costly fixes.
That’s partly because, in order to function properly, ADAS sensors have to be close to the exterior of the car: mounted behind windshields, on side mirrors or under bumpers. This makes them susceptible to damage. A chipped windshield might have to be replaced in order to maintain necessary glass clarity around the camera. And for every repair near a sensor, careful recalibration is required.
How to have your safety systems repaired properly
If you’ve been involved in an accident, it’s important to have your sensors inspected and possibly recalibrated by a trained technician as soon as possible. A safety system that’s not working properly can do real damage, as can a repairperson who is unfamiliar with the technology.
ADAS repairs can be costly, but, ideally, having a vehicle equipped with these features will save you in the long run. Aside from their proven track record of reducing certain types of accidents (and the resulting repairs) they’re more likely to keep you and your family safe as you drive—something that’s hard to put a price on.
Auto manufacturers are committed to further developing their offerings, hopefully making them more durable and better protected in crashes or other accidents. Insurance companies, too, will ideally come to appreciate these systems as risk reducers.
Contact us today for a free estimate
If you’ve been involved in a crash, it’s important to remember that your vehicle’s ADAS sensors may have been affected. At Bavarian Body Works, our trained technicians will evaluate and repair these sensitive systems, always with a focus on your safety. Contact us today for more information.