Driver Assistance Systems Explained Simply

They make your life as a driver easier and safer: driver assistance systems. They are often described with abbreviations like ESP or LKA. Hand on heart: Do you know what's behind them? We at CARIFY show you all the modern driver assistance systems and explain what they are for and how they work.

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What are driver assistance systems?

Assistants provide support, and that's exactly what driver assistance systems are for. They help you while driving and ensure that you detect dangers early. Others keep your vehicle in its lane or prevent the wheels from locking during braking. Some of the helpers, called ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems) in English, are even mandatory in Switzerland. Learn more about this in the CARIFY blog.

What types of driver assistance systems are there?

Even the seat belt is considered a driver assistance system. This indicates that the helpers in the car can be both technical and mechanical or part of the design (like the crumple zone). This blog focuses on electronic systems that make driving easier and safer. They can be divided into various categories:

Monitoring Systems

These assistance systems are always active while driving but only intervene in driving situations when necessary. This includes the lane-keeping assistant and the adaptive cruise control.

Information Systems

These include warning lights on the dashboard (such as the fuel gauge) or the head-up display. Alarm sounds alert you when doors are not closed or seat belts are not fastened correctly. The fatigue warning system is also part of this category.

Automated Systems

They react before you've even perceived danger and initiate actions like emergency braking. Many of these responsive assistants are already mandatory in newer vehicles.

The following list shows you the most important driver assistance systems:

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Automatic Distance Control (ADR)

This assistant adjusts your speed according to the distance from the vehicle ahead. This is determined by a sensor at the front of the vehicle. This way, you always maintain a sufficient safety distance to brake in case of an emergency. Often, this system is part of the following driver assistance system:

Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS)

It monitors the distance to preceding cars and obstacles, as well as speed, steering, and pedal position. If a collision is imminent, an automatic emergency brake is initiated.

(Electronic) Brake Assist (EBA)

In case of emergency, it initiates an emergency brake with maximum pedal pressure, thus enhancing braking force. To prevent the wheels from locking, the next system intervenes:

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

It reduces brake pressure to avoid wheel lock during hard braking, preserving tire traction and shortening braking distance on wet surfaces.

Emergency Brake Assist (ANB)

Alongside a distance warning that alerts you to insufficient distances from obstacles, this system can autonomously brake or initiate an emergency brake.

Emergency Brake Light

Indicates emergency braking by flashing the brake lights.

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

If your vehicle starts to skid, the assistant selectively brakes individual wheels to regain control quickly. It complements the Anti-Lock Braking System and traction control.

Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

Using infrared or a camera, this system detects lane departure based on road markings, guardrails, or oncoming traffic, warning you if you're about to change lanes unintentionally.

Lane Change Assist

A camera or sensors monitor your vehicle's blind spots. The system warns against unsafe lane changes.

Traffic Sign Recognition (VZE)

Traffic signs captured by a camera are displayed in the head-up display. If coupled with intelligent speed assistance, you automatically maintain the prescribed speed.

Cruise Control (GRA)

By adjusting your engine's torque, the system prevents exceeding the set speed limit.

Reverse Assist

The assistant warns of obstacles when reversing and helps with parking.

Fatigue Warning System, Driver Distraction Alert Warning (DDAW)

Based on your driving behavior, the system detects when you're too distracted from the road. Analyzing your steering behavior, it also recognizes fatigue from frequent, abrupt steering corrections. Visual and audible warnings prompt you to take a break.

Alcohol Interlock System

Prevents your car from starting when you're under the influence of alcohol.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (RDKS)

Warns you of low tire pressure.

Traction Control (ASR)

Prevents wheel spin during acceleration.

Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Hold Control (HHC)

Primarily found in SUVs and off-roaders, these systems control speed and braking on hilly terrain.

Cybersecurity

Protects against cyberattacks by hackers aiming to manipulate your electronic driver assistance systems.

Automatic High Beam Assistant

Adjusts high beams according to traffic to avoid blinding other drivers. If the camera detects no traffic on the road, it automatically switches on the high beams.

Black Box

A crash data recorder stores your driving data in case of an accident, capturing the 5 seconds before the event until its end.

For simplicity, car manufacturers and dealers use abbreviations for the driver assistance systems installed in vehicles. Some systems are also known by different abbreviations. It's not so easy to keep track of them all. This alphabetical overview of the most important abbreviations can help you:

• ABS: Anti-Lock Braking System

• ACC, ADR: Adaptive Cruise Control

• AEBS: Autonomous Emergency Braking System

• ANB: Automatic Emergency Braking System

• ASR: Traction Control

• DDAW: Driver Drowsiness Alert Warning

• EBA: Electronic Brake Assist

• ESP: Electronic Stability Program

• GRA: Cruise Control

• HDC, HHC: Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control

• LKA: Lane Keeping Assist

• RDKS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System

• VZE: Traffic Sign Recognition

Additional assistance systems enhance the safety of trucks and vans. These include the Collision Warning System for pedestrians and cyclists (Blind Spot Information System for the detection of Bicycles, BSIS) and the Blind Spot Assistant.

As helpful as driver assistance systems are, you are still the driver. It's tempting to lean back and let the automated systems take over. However, despite all controls, you must remain in control of your vehicle. After all, technology can sometimes fail or react mistakenly. Therefore, all automated systems must be capable of being turned off or overridden by the driver in case of emergency.

Additionally, warning tones or flashing lights themselves can be distractions that become dangerous when too much demands your attention at once. This is especially true if you can only deactivate the warnings through manual inputs. Then, you become too distracted to keep a good eye on the road ahead. So, think carefully about how many driver assistance systems you really need, as some are primarily for convenience.

Driver Assistance Systems Mandatory in Cars from 2022

Since July 2022, some driver assistance systems in Switzerland (similar to the EU) are mandatory in new cars. The automatically intervening assistance systems are intended to reduce the number and severity of accidents. Over the coming years, they will also become mandatory for older cars and trucks. The table shows which systems are included.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (RDKS) has been mandatory for a longer period.

All CARIFY cars are up to date with the latest safety standards

With CARIFY, you can be sure that our vehicles meet all the requirements set by the authorities. Many of our cars even offer additional features that enhance your driving safety and enjoyment. Tip: On our website, you can filter our offerings according to your desired features. This way, you can quickly find your dream car, whether it's a convertible or an SUV, equipped with all the modern driver assistance systems.

Conclusion

Driver assistance systems make your car safer and can even prevent accidents. That's why some of them are now mandatory in Swiss new cars. By 2026, older vehicles are also supposed to be equipped with these modern helpers. If you're planning to buy a new car or considering a used car, you should keep an eye on these developments. You're on the safe side with a CARIFY car subscription. Our cars are always up to date with the latest technology, offering you many extras and top-notch maintenance. This way, you can already enjoy the safety that will only become mandatory in a few years.

FAQs:

How many driver assistance systems are there?

Over 40 electronic driver assistance systems enhance driving safety. Many of them must be installed in new cars today. You can find the most important ones in our blog.

What are the new assistance systems?

Among the newer driver assistance systems that will become mandatory in all vehicles in the coming years are:

• Emergency Lane Keeping Assistant

• Fatigue and Attention Warning

• Emergency Brake Assistant

• Speed Assistant

• Emergency Brake Light

• Reverse Assistant

• Black Box

• Alcohol-Sensitive Immobilizer

How does a driver assistant work?

Driver assistance systems monitor your driving behavior and the environment around your car (via camera, ultrasound, or radar). They measure distances to obstacles and calculate braking distances at your current speed. The computer-controlled processes can quickly initiate reactions when threshold values are exceeded, such as emergency braking. Other systems monitor your driving behavior to warn you of potential sleepiness at the wheel. Many driver assistance systems primarily enhance your safety by providing better driving stability or preventing dangers from locked wheels. Others make operating your navigation or multimedia system more comfortable and less distracting.