As one of the leading manufacturers in the automotive industry, Ford has always been known for keeping its finger on the pulse of what drivers are looking for in transportation. As the SUV boom began to take off in the early 2000s, many shoppers looked to Ford as SUVs for sale became more accessible and tailored to the needs of the average driver. The popularity of models such as the Explorer and Escape proved that the SUV could be utilized as the ideal form of family-oriented transportation. As such, Ford has continued to develop safety and driving assistance features that push the boundaries and provide oversight and an added layer of protection where it matters most. One of the first notable safety features Ford developed for its fleet of SUVs was AdvanceTrac roll stability control. Introduced in the early 2000s, this early innovation was designed to provide more control over the vehicle in various road conditions and prevent vehicle rollovers. The technology began developing in the 1990s, and it was a significant breakthrough when it was implemented on the Ford Explorer. Not only did the feature help drivers maintain traction, but it also featured an anti-lock braking system and yaw control.

As Driver Assistance Became More Advanced, Ford Led the Way

By 2011, the SUV boom was in full swing, and it didn't take long for Ford to demonstrate that it was ready, willing, and able to set an example for other manufacturers in the industry. As the flagship SUV of the Ford fleet, the redesigned fifth-generation Explorer was given access to a host of features that have since become commonplace among many different brands.

Blind Spot Information System & Rear Cross Traffic Alert

While much has changed in the past century regarding the automobile and its various amenities and features, visibility has remained one of, if not the most important, items to pay attention to whenever you’re on the road. A common area where additional assistance is appreciated is watching for traffic that might be absent from our line of sight. Ford's Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert technology issue a warning to the driver in such a situation.

Collision Warning & Brake Support

Reaction time is an essential skill that comes from experience. Knowing what to do when there is the potential for a collision separates an accident from a close call. Collision Warning relies on cameras and radar to issue an alert when an accident is imminent. Sometimes, driver fatigue and a brief distraction can be the prelude to a collision. Brake Support works with Collision Warning, providing the necessary assistance in slowing down the vehicle and bringing it to a complete stop. These features are all but standard these days, but were revolutionary when they appeared on the 2011 Explorer.

Ford Is My Co-Pilot…

Ford's advancements were impressive and were a prime indication of how far the brand would go to ensure its passengers were safe, particularly those who chose from its wide range of SUVs. The 2019 Ford Edge introduced one of the most significant leaps forward regarding safety and driving assistance technology with the advent of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. Building on some of the features Ford had developed in previous years, drivers now have more assistance than ever before. They can utilize these technologies for a wide variety of different applications.

Lane-Keeping System

One of the significant causes of road accidents has little to do with reckless driving and more to do with driver fatigue and drowsiness. Ford’s Lane-Keeping System detects your position and ensures you’re not drifting in and out of your lane by vibrating the steering wheel and then providing mild steering inputs to keep you in your lane. If you drift repeatedly, it will suggest you pull over and take a break.

Evasive Steering Assist

Implementing the proper steering techniques is another part of the reaction time that a driver develops through experience. Ford’s Evasive Steering Assist alerts you when a stopped vehicle is directly in your path and provides additional steering assistance to avoid the object in front of you. It won't steer for you, but it will help you avoid dangers in your path.

Rear View Camera

Earlier, we mentioned the importance of visibility and how thoroughly understanding your surroundings is imperative for safe driving. Your Rear View Camera will engage when you’re in reverse and grant you additional visibility whenever you’re backing up.

Hill Descent Control

When the SUV was first designed, its most common uses were off-roading and various outdoor adventures. Hill Descent Control will be invaluable if you plan to utilize your Ford SUV for just such a purpose. By automatically applying additional brake pressure to maintain a constant speed, you can be sure that coming down from any mountaintop will be a safe experience.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive Cruise Control may be one of the best features if you drive a lot on highways. There’s an excellent chance that you’re already familiar with cruise control, the system that allows your vehicle to run at a predetermined speed to eliminate the need for constant pressure on the accelerator. Adaptive Cruise Control takes this technology one step further. By monitoring the vehicle ahead of you, it can adjust your speed automatically to maintain a safe following distance without any driver input.

BlueCruise…A New Way of Getting There

Technology tends to move at an advanced pace in the automotive industry. A few years ago, Adaptive Cruise Control was considered the leading innovation in providing better assistance while traveling on the highway. A recent development from Ford has taken the idea behind this technology to new heights with the introduction of BlueCruise. BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free, semi-autonomous driving technology, works on over 130,000 miles of pre-programmed roads across North America. This means that long drives become much more relaxing. While this technology doesn’t eliminate the need for you to be behind the wheel, it can be a big help in reducing fatigue over long distances, which, as we previously mentioned, is one of the leading causes of potential collisions. Ford has recently implemented some significant changes to BlueCruise to improve its performance on the road ahead. With Lane Change Assist, switching from lane to lane is simply a matter of tapping the turn signal, and BlueCruise does the rest when it is safe to do so. Another item that was recently added was In-Lane Repositioning. Shifting your vehicle away from traffic in adjacent lanes allows for increased reaction time.

Leading the Way Into the Future

For over a century, Ford has helped drivers cruise along highways and byways from coast to coast. During that time of development and innovation, we’ve seen many items introduced that have improved safety on the roads. As the SUV boom continues and the vehicle becomes more popular among drivers, Ford has doubled its efforts to provide shoppers with reliable forms of transportation and go above and beyond regarding the safety and driving assistance features that make life on the road more manageable. In just a short time, the technological innovations that Ford has introduced have set a standard for excellence that the rest of the industry strives to meet.