More than 7,000 deaths occur on the roads of Malaysia every year, according to the WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety. While adhering to the rules of the road is of the utmost of importance, a range of technological innovations is helping to make the roads safer for all road users. From a system that boosts your vision at night to automated braking that kicks in when you need it most, let’s have a closer look at just a few of the technologies that can be of great benefit to Malaysian drivers.

Even the best drivers report that their ability to see the road and their surroundings are diminished at night. As this is a very prevalent concern among drivers, it was only a matter of time before technology came to the rescue and made night time driving safer than ever before. Night vision systems are innovative gadgets that provide the driver with an increasingly clear view of the road –even during inclement weather. While an increasing number of luxury car models have built-in night vision systems, portable models can be used in any vehicle. These devices are roughly the size of a standard smartphone, and can be mounted on the dashboard or directly onto the windscreen, giving you a high-resolution, clear view of the road, thus minimizing any night-time accidents.

Keeping your eyes on the road at all times is paramount to staying safe on the road. A heads-up display (HUD) can make it increasingly easy to focus on the road. The transparent, digital screen displays vital information on the car’s windscreen, allowing the driver to keep their eyes on the road. Apart from displaying your speed, engine revs, and temperature gauges, a HUD can also be used to adjust music, read text messages, and receive calls, minimizing distracted driving even more. Road accident specialists like personal injury lawyers will attest to the fact that distracted driving is among the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents and should be avoided at all costs, and this technology makes a huge difference to this.

Rear-end collisions continue to be the most common type of car crash world-wide. Thanks to autonomous braking (AEB), the risk of such a collision can be reduced by as much as 50%, according to research. AEB brakes decrease the risk of being in an accident by employing the brakes of the vehicle if the driver fails to take note of all alerts and warnings. While AEBs are not a ‘new invention’, constant technological advancements are making them increasingly effective. Newer and more advanced systems work at much higher speeds than entry-level systems that are typically better suited to city driving than highway driving.

Adhering to the rules of the road is vital if you want to reach your destination safely. Making use of the latest safety technologies available can further reduce your risk of being in an accident.