features . AOL Autos : Safest cars It started with now-common features like anti-lock brakes -LRB- ABS -RRB- and electronic stability control systems -LRB- ESC -RRB- . But in recent years , engineers have taken safety technology to a new level . And these days , they spend more time and money researching and developing `` crash avoidance '' features and technologies . These computerized systems , instead of protecting you if a crash occurs , help you avoid accidents in the first place . Some of these systems are already in vehicles on the road today , while others are coming down the pipeline in the next few years . Mercedes uses radar , rear-view monitor Given that it 's a higher-priced luxury brand , it figures that Mercedes-Benz is one of the leaders when it comes to these kinds of high-tech crash-avoidance systems . Finely-tuned anti-lock brake and electronic-stability-control systems are standard equipment in all Mercedes cars . AOL Autos : Best and worst hybrids `` And presently , a number of our vehicles offer Distronic Plus , a crash-avoidance system that employs dual-band radar that measures the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you ,
-LRB- AOL Autos -RRB- -- Protecting drivers and passengers from injury has been a high priority for car makers for the last 40 years or more . A truck driver tests an anti-collison system . The red light goes on if the car in front of him is too close . Not just because it 's the right thing to do , but also because having a reputation for building safe vehicles helps automakers sell more cars . But in recent years , high-tech advancements have come along at such a fast and furious rate that auto-safety systems have entered a whole new universe . For most of the history of auto manufacturing , car makers ' efforts in the area of safety have been devoted to developing `` passive '' safety features -- seat belts , air bags , building a stronger frame for the cabin , side-impact door beams , etc. . All those things help you stay safe once you are involved in an accident . But just as advanced technology has changed almost every other industry , so too has it changed the automotive industry , leading to the design of more `` active '' safety