Car Driving and Safety

It used to be easy to make your car go faster -- just step on the accelerator, and the throttle would manually open. Today, many cars use electronic throttle control. What does it take for sensors and computers to control a car's speed?

By Jamie Page Deaton

If your car starts speeding out of control, your natural response is to step on the brake. But what if that doesn't stop your car? A brake override system is one way to bring things to a stop.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Today, the average new car has between 30 and 80 electronic control systems under the hood. With technology-based recalls making headlines, it's easy to wonder: Is all this technology making cars more dangerous?

By Patrick E. George

Bad weather equals bad driving conditions — and bad drivers. To avoid becoming one of the wrecks on the road, take a look at six common driving errors to steer clear of (pun intended).

By Rachel Oswald & Talon Homer

Snow is lovely to look at, but less fun to drive in -- especially if you happen to break down, get a flat tire or crash into something. So prepare yourself (and your car) to meet Mother Nature's fury.

By Shanna Freeman

In the next few years, side curtain airbags will be a key safety feature in most new cars. How do they complement traditional airbags to keep you safe on the road?

By Cherise Threewitt

At its core, defensive driving is all about anticipation -- knowing what other drivers are going to do in advance and getting out of the way. You don't need a course to learn this stuff; all you need is a little common sense.

By Stephanie Watson

We've been taught how to drive safely, but the number of automobile accidents and fatalities remains high. Let's get back to basics and review these 10 safe driving tips.

By Ed Grabianowski

Icy, snow-covered roads may look like something out of a storybook, but driving on them can be something out of a nightmare. How can you navigate them safely?

By Jonathan Atteberry

Wet, slippery roads are one of the major dangers that drivers face, especially because they increase the chances of hydroplaning. What should you do if you start to lose control of your car during a heavy downpour of rain?

By Martha Barksdale

German auto supplier Bosch developed the first electronic stability control system in the mid-1990s. Decades later, most cars and SUVs are equipped with electronic stability control as standard equipment.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

An electronic brake force distribution system determines the exact amount of brake force required at each wheel during any braking situation. But how does the system precisely modulate the brake force?

By Christopher Lampton

Your car or truck could be equipped with hill-start control and you probably wouldn't even know it was there. But don't underestimate the importance of this system that operates in the background.

By Christopher Lampton

Without special auto glass, we'd be in trouble every time we hit a pothole or got into a fender bender. Auto glass is specially made to keep from shattering. Find out how.

By Christopher Neiger & Talon Homer

If you've ever slammed on the brakes to barely avoid a collision, you know full well how important brake assist can be. Brake assist helps stop a vehicle faster to avoid crashes.

By Akweli Parker

It's a technology that's been well-tested in the aviation industry for nearly two decades. So, why are automakers reluctant to bring drive-by-wire technology to the showroom floor -- or are they?

By John Fuller

Multi-function steering wheels are improving automotive safety simply by placing the most commonly used electronic controls in a very convenient place -- right at the driver's fingertips.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

A pre-collision detection system sounds like something out of a science fiction film; however, these systems have actually been around for several years. So, what kinds of systems are available today?

By John Fuller

Car testing is more than strapping a dummy to the driver's seat and releasing the brake. Engineers conduct myriad secret tests to assess everything from engine performance to design.

By Akweli Parker

Some cars just seem to overheat more than others, and many trucks are known to suffer the same fate. Do you know how to prevent your truck from overheating?

By Scott C. Benjamin & Cherise Threewitt

You hop inside your car to escape the brutal winter winds and fumble with your frigid keys, only to find that your car won't start when you turn the ignition. What's going on? It's probably one of three problems.

Computerized stability systems for your car won't magically steer you clear of an out-of-control vehicle, but they can keep an eye on road conditions and vehicle performance.

By Robert Lamb

This winter make sure your car is as prepared as you are. Going the extra mile by getting your vehicle ready for winter and learning what it takes to drive safely through ice and snow could save your life.

By Jennifer Geiger

Have you ever wondered what happens to your old seatbelt? They can't be recycled in cars for safety reasons, but they often find new lives as clothing, furniture and even artwork.

By Tiffany Connors

Airbags are everywhere. You can find them in the front and on both sides of your car. Vehicles now have tubular airbags, knee airbags and even outside airbags to protect pedestrians. How much safety is too much?

By Ed Grabianowski