Driving safety is one of the key aspects that both manufacturers and drivers pay attention to. Modern cars are equipped with dozens of systems that aim to protect the life and health of passengers and prevent collisions and accidents. In this article, we will take a look at the most important car safety systems, which are now almost compulsory equipment in new cars.
Braking systems: ABS, EBD and Brake Assist against wheel locking
One of the basic elements affecting driving safety is braking system. Its effectiveness depends not only on the quality of the pads and discs, but also on the advanced technologies to support braking.
ABS system (anti lock braking system) prevents wheel locking during braking, enabling the driver to maintain control of the vehicle in emergency situations. ABS is complemented by EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution)Electronic Brake-force Distribution (ESD) - a system that increases braking efficiency, especially when the vehicle is unevenly weighted.
Brake Assist System (Brake Assist System) recognises emergency braking situations and automatically increases braking powereven if the driver does not depress the brake pedal with sufficient force. As a result, the braking distance can be significantly reduced.

ESP and traction control - stabilisation of driving paths
ESP system (electronic stability programme), also known as the Electronic Stability Programme, is responsible for wheel slip prevention and loss of control of the vehicle. In a situation where the car starts to rotate around its axis or deviates from the intended direction of travel, ESP intervenes in the engine and braking systems to stabilise the driving path.
TCS traction control system (traction control system) works on the basis of data from wheel speed sensors and counteracts their excessive slippage during starting or accelerating. The cooperation of these systems has a huge impact on increased driving safety, especially on slippery surfaces.

Driving assistants: cruise control, sensors and cameras
New cars are increasingly being fitted with advanced driver assistance systems. Active cruise control (adaptive cruise control) or a more advanced version of it, intelligent cruise controlThey adjust their speed to that of the vehicle in front, maintaining a safe distance. This increases driving comfort and reduces driver fatigue.
Blind spot information system The system warns of vehicles in the blind spot, usually by a light signal in the side mirrors or dashboard. The driver fatigue monitoring system, on the other hand analyses driving style and reacts when it detects signs of drowsiness.
Another facility is reversing cameras and cross traffic alert systems when manoeuvring. They make manoeuvring more precise and safe.
Traffic sign recognition and warning systems
Traffic sign recognition system uses a camera mounted in the front of the vehicle to read the signs. This information is then displayed on the dashboard, making it easier to comply with traffic regulations.
Lane departure warning systemsknown as lane assist systems, help to maintain proper driving route. If a vehicle starts to leave the lane without signalling an indicator, the system alerts the driverand some models even gently correct the trajectory.

Adaptive lighting and visibility systems
Adaptive forward lighting, or adaptive headlights, is a system that adjusts the angle and range of illumination according to driving speed, steering angle and road conditions. This increases visibility and reduces the risk of dazzling other drivers.
Cornering light is another feature that contributes to safety at night. It switches on an additional light source when turning, allowing you to see obstacles on a bend better and react to them more quickly.
Anti-skid and starting aid systems
Systems anti-slipsuch as ASR (acceleration slip regulation)They prevent wheel slip during acceleration. They interact with ESP system and traction control, ensuring stability even in difficult weather conditions.
Many cars are also fitted with hill start assist systems, which prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards by stopping it for a few seconds when the brake pedal is released.

Mechanical systems to support safety
It is important not to forget traditionalbut equally important elements such as suspension system, cooling system or exhaust system. Their correct operation affects driving comfort, but also the ability of the vehicle to stay on the road and safe operation.
The engine timing and valve train as a whole are responsible for the precise operation of the drive unit. Failure of one of these components can affect the engine's power output and response in the emergency situations.
What are the drawbacks of security systems?
Although modern safety systems significantly enhance passenger protection, they are not without their drawbacks. Above all, over-reliance on electronics can lead to weakening of the driver's alertness and skills. Some drivers treat driving assistants as a substitute for their own attention, which can be fatal in critical situations.

Some systems, such as traffic sign recognitioncan be unreliable - they can misread characters or disregard the situational context. Similarly, automatic braking systems do not always react with sufficient sensitivitywhich may lead to unnecessary interventions or, on the contrary, a lack of them.
The cost of repairing or calibrating these systems after a collision or glass replacement can be very high. For many drivers, this is a significant argument against excessive electronics in cars.
ZENBOX PRO - control of the safety systems in your car
For drivers who want to keep more control over the vehicle and decide on the operation of selected security systems themselves, the device was created ZENBOX PRO. This innovative solution makes it possible to temporary switching off of selected functions, such as the system traffic sign recognition, speed assistant, start-stop system.

ZENBOX PRO allows adapt car operation to the driver's real needs - e.g. when driving on a track or in conditions where some systems may get in the way instead of helping. Device does not permanently interfere with the vehicle's electronicsso they can be easily switched on or off at any time.
Thanks to ZENBOX PRO the driver gains more independence and the possibility full personalisation car operation, which translates into better adaptation of the car to the driving style i road conditions. It is the modern answer to growing needs of informed userswho do not want to sacrifice driving comfort, but value complete control.
See also:
- Active vs. passive safety - what do you need to know?
- Start-stop system - operation
- Mandatory passenger car equipment in 2025
- Sign recognition system - how does it work?
- ISA system - how the intelligent speed assistant works
- ADAS - what it is and how it works
- Lane keep assist - how it works
- Driver fatigue detection system - does it really work?