BE IN THE KNOW

MyCarDoesWhat.org, a campaign led by the National Safety Council and the University of Iowa, seeks to educate drivers on how to best utilize new vehicle safety technologies for safer driving. It is funded by the Toyota Safety Research and Education Program Settlement.

On its Web site, it categorizes safety features into five — forward collision prevention; braking, tire pressure and anti- rollover; driver state monitoring and communication; parking and backing assisting; and lane and side assist- ing. It provides thorough descriptions of each feature in each category, with Q&As, quick guide videos and illustrations explaining how the specific feature works.

Under the categories forward collision prevention and braking, tire pressure and anti-rollover, for instance, it says that the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is a four-wheel anti-lock brakes that help a driver steer as he brakes during an emergency.

“The wheel sensors detect when [the] car’s tires begin locking up. Then, they rapidly apply and release ( pulse) the brakes to automatically keep [the] tires from skidding,” it explains, adding a few tips on how to use ABS.

Also included, among many others, is the obstacle detection feature, which “activates at low speeds and will provide warnings of impending collisions.” Some versions will even brake the car automatically.

MyCarDoesWhat.org also provides a list of top car manufacturers and their corresponding models, user manuals and safety features offered.