What Every Parent of a New Driver Should Know About New Driver Education
James Saunders • June 8, 2025
Understanding Vehicle Safety Systems: What Every Parent of a New Driver Should Know
In this post we’ll continue our focus on brake maintenance and its impact on your new driver’s development of safe driving habits. Today, let’s learn about the three foundational control safety components: the steering angle sensor, anti-lock braking system (ABS),
and yaw or acceleration sensors.
Understanding how these systems function with precision, and how long they’ve been in use will help you appreciate just how much modern vehicles are dependent on these safety systems to help keep the vehicle doing what the driver intended.
Let’s start with the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS)
Where is Steering Angle Sensor located and What Exactly is a Steering Angle Sensor?
The steering angle sensor is located within the steering column. It continuously monitors your steering wheel’s position, speed, and direction of turning. It uses different sensors that will detect an understeering or oversteering event by the driver.
How It Works:
The SAS provides real-time inputs to critical safety systems, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). If the SAS sensor detects that the driver’s steering input doesn’t match the vehicle’s movement, like an unexpected a sudden swerve, the ESC safety system can intervene by applying brakes to specific wheels, helping prevent skids or loss of control, bringing the vehicle back to what the driver is intending. By providing precise feedback, the SAS helps maintain vehicle stability, especially in emergency maneuvers or slippery conditions, reducing the risk of accidents due to loss of control.
How Long in Use:
Steering angle sensors have been mandated on vehicles since 2012, around the same time electronic stability systems became standard in many vehicles.
Next, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
What It Is:
ABS is a safety system that prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
How It Works:
ABS uses four main components:
• Speed sensors
at each wheel that monitor that specific wheels rotation.
• Valves
that control the brake pressure being applied to each wheel.
• A pump
restores pressure after the valve releases it.
• A controller
processes sensor data and manages the system’s response.
When the ABS system detects that a wheel is about to lock up, it rapidly reduces and reapplies brake pressure to that wheel. This action can take place up to 20 times per second per wheel. This prevents skidding and allows the driver to steer around obstacles, even under heavy breaking or on slippery surfaces.
ABS significantly reduces the risk of accidents by helping drivers keep the car doing what he or she intended to maintain control during emergency stops and on wet or icy roads. ABS safety features have also been shown to lower crash rates and fatalities.
How Long Has ABS Safety Systems Been In Use:
ABS was experimented by Ford in 1960, began appearing on Mercedes Benz the late 1970’s, and was adopted by most vehicles manufactures by the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Finally, Yaw Rate Sensor and Accelerometers
What They Are:
Yaw sensors (sometimes called rotational speed sensors) measure the vehicle’s rotation around its vertical axis, (imagine a spinning top), basically how much the car is turning or spinning. Acceleration sensors (often integrated with yaw sensors) detect rapid changes in speed, such as during a collision or rollover event.
How They Work:
Yaw sensors use gyroscopes to measure the rate and degree of rotation. This information is sent to the vehicle’s stability control systems, which can intervene by applying brakes to individual wheels or reducing engine power if the car starts to skid or oversteer helping the driver maintain control.
Yaw Rate sensors are vital for stability and traction control in helping prevent skids, slides, and rollovers. If the sensors detect a loss of control, the vehicle can automatically correct its path keeping the vehicle doing what the driver is intending.
How Long in Use:
Yaw and acceleration sensors became widespread as part of electronic stability control systems in the early 2000s and have become more sophisticated with each vehicle generation.
Why This Matters for Your New Driver
Modern cars are equipped with an array of sensors and control systems that work together that help your new driver safely make safe driving decisions, especially in situations where split-second reactions are needed to avoid unexpected events. While these systems are robust, they need regular maintenance, especially brakes and related components to function properly.
The better your understanding of these safety features, the more you will appreciate the importance of routine maintenance and encourage your new driver to respect the technology.
The following are just some of the questions you need to ask:
Are you sure your current maintenance process aligns with the manufacturer's recommendations/requirements? And is it being performed by a qualified vendor? Find the answers to these crucial questions and more at completemms.com. Go to Uncle Jim’s Car Corner.
Become a member of Uncle Jim’s Car Corner at no charge while this opportunity lasts! As a member, you'll receive our monthly newsletter and gain exclusive access to our qualified vendors portal. Don’t miss out—secure your membership today while they're still available!
Brake maintenance has a direct and critical impact on Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and related systems like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Traction Control Systems (TCS). These systems rely on your brakes functioning correctly and consistently to help maintain vehicle control, especially in emergencies or slippery conditions. Here’s how brake maintenance ties in: 🛠️ 1. Worn Brake Pads Reduce Control Precision • VSC systems apply braking to individual wheels to help correct skids or under/oversteer. • Uneven or worn brake pads can reduce braking effectiveness on one side, confusing the VSC system and potentially making a skid worse. 💧 2. Old or Contaminated Brake Fluid Impairs Response • Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, reducing its boiling point and making it less effective under hard braking. • VSC requires instant, precise pressure control, and bad fluid can delay or weaken brake response. ⚖️ 3. Uneven Brake Wear Affects Sensor Input • Sensors in VSC (like yaw rate sensors, wheel speed sensors, and steering angle sensors) expect predictable braking performance. • If one brake grabs harder than another, the system may misinterpret it as a loss of traction or stability. ⚠️ 4. Malfunctioning ABS Components Disrupt VSC • VSC and ABS share critical components like wheel speed sensors, hydraulic control units, and modulators. • If ABS isn’t maintained and fails, VSC cannot operate properly, as it can’t modulate brake pressure safely. 🚗 5. Brake Rotor Condition Influences Stability • Warped or damaged rotors cause brake pulsation, reducing VSC's ability to apply smooth corrective braking. • This can create unpredictable handling during activation of stability control. 🔍 Bottom Line: Good brake maintenance = trustworthy stability control. Always: • Inspect pads/rotors regularly. • Replace brake fluid per manufacturer schedule (often every 2–3 years). • Fix ABS warning lights immediately. • Avoid driving with known brake problems, especially if your car uses ADAS features. Don’t wait until it’s too late, schedule your brake inspection today to keep your vehicle’s safety systems working at their best and protect everyone on the road. 🚗🛑 Drive your safety knowledge forward from Uncle Jim's Car Corner at completemms.com/automotivesafetytechnology.
How ADAS Technologies are Paving the Way to Self-Driving Cars
Developing Safe Driving Habits Starts with Choosing The Right Driving School..
Enhancing Collision Center Estimators' Proficiency with ADAS Estimate Training In today's automotive industry, technological advancements are revolutionizing vehicle safety and performance. One significant evolution is the introduction of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These systems, encompassing features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking, are becoming standard in modern vehicles. However, as collision center estimators, understanding ADAS and its implications on repair planning is crucial for delivering accurate estimates and ensuring customer satisfaction. Collision Center Training Academy recognizes the importance of equipping estimators with the knowledge and skills required to handle ADAS-equipped vehicles effectively. Our ADAS estimate training program is designed to empower estimators with comprehensive insights into these safety features and their impact on repair processes. Why is this training necessary? 1. **Accuracy in Estimates**: ADAS features are intricately integrated into a vehicle's design, affecting various components. Estimators need to understand how these systems function and their potential vulnerabilities in the event of a collision. Without proper knowledge, estimators may overlook critical repairs related to ADAS, leading to inaccurate estimates and potential safety hazards post-repair. 2. **Customer Satisfaction**: In today's competitive market, customer satisfaction is paramount. ADAS estimate training ensures that estimators can provide customers with detailed and accurate repair plans, instilling confidence in the repair process. Customers appreciate transparency and expertise, which fosters trust and loyalty towards the collision center. 3. **Risk Mitigation**: Mishandling ADAS-equipped vehicles during repairs can pose significant risks. Improper calibration or alignment of ADAS sensors can compromise their functionality, jeopardizing vehicle safety. Estimators trained in ADAS understand the importance of following manufacturer guidelines and ensuring proper calibration post-repair, mitigating potential liabilities for the collision center. 4. **Profitability**: While some may perceive ADAS repairs as complex and time-consuming, proper training enables estimators to efficiently assess and plan repairs, optimizing workflow and resource allocation. By accurately identifying ADAS-related repairs, collision centers can streamline processes, reduce rework, and maximize profitability. 5. **Future-Proofing**: As ADAS technology continues to advance, collision centers must stay ahead of the curve. Investing in ADAS estimate training prepares estimators for the evolving landscape of automotive repair, ensuring they can adapt to new challenges and emerging technologies effectively. By prioritizing ADAS estimate training, collision center estimators not only enhance their skills but also contribute to the overall success and reputation of the business. Customers seek out establishments that demonstrate expertise and reliability, making ADAS proficiency a valuable asset in today's competitive market. At Collision Center Training Academy, we understand the importance of staying abreast of industry advancements. Our ADAS estimate training program equips estimators with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the complexities of ADAS-equipped vehicles, ultimately driving customer satisfaction, retention, and referrals. Invest in your team's success today and elevate your collision center to new heights of excellence.
"Drive Safer, Stress Less: A Parents Guide to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)" is a comprehensive blog aimed at introducing parents of new drivers to the benefits and functionalities of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
