Automotive Technology Improving Our Lives by Liz Allison (NAPSA)—Cars today have advanced in some surprising ways. The automotive industry has developed equipment that not only keeps those in the car safe, but people and things aroundit as well. Consider these features: Electronic Stability Control constantly monitors the car’s brake performance to determineif the driver is about to lose control. Individual adjustments to each wheel prevent a car from spinning out. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, * this could prevent nearly a third ofall mk4 fatal crashes and reduce rollover risk Liz Allison by 80 percent. New auto technology keeps roads, drivers safer. advanced car technology with a competition that requires vehicles to merge into moving traffic, navi- gate traffic circles, negotiate busy intersections and avoid obstacles by themselves. Entertainment And Convenience. Satellite radios let drivers listen to their favorite music or radio programming uninterrupted across the entire U.S. Some also directly connect an Mp3 player into the stereo system. Manycars fea- —_— Parking Assistance. One companyoffers an Advanced Parking Guidance System that does the work for you. Manyvehicles offer ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers that help judge the distance between you andotherobjects. Active Safety. Imagine driving on cruise control and your car automatically paces itself behind the car in front of you. Or your car automatically lowersits beams at night when an oncoming car approaches. What if your car had “night vision” and discreetly projected a holographic image on your windshield showingpotential obstacles on the side of the road outside your headlights’ reach? What if your car alerted you when you were leaving your lane? Atits recent “Electronics University,” one companyrolled out a slew of technologies like these. personality, radio host and bestselling author. She has served as a racing analyst for TNT, CNN/SI, TNN, CNN, ESPN and ESPN2. Members of AutoVantage can The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency attracts some of the brightest minds in visit www.autovantage.com or call (800) 876-7787. Eliminate Human Error. ture DVD systems to keep passen- gers pacified. Portable GPS systems can be used in whatever car youre driving and cell phones can provide mapsanddriving directions. These technologies make roads safer, but they'll never replace caution and judgment, so remember: Always wear yourseatbelt. Keep the car in good condition. Keep your focus on the road, not the gadgets. Liz Allison, a spokesperson for AutoVantage, is a NASCAR TV save on car care at some 19,000 service locations. To learn more,
