Next up was ABS - the Anti-Lock Braking System. ABS helps the driver maintain control in emergency braking situations so they are better able to steer around obstacles. We tested this with the RX 450h and with the ABS the vehicle responds by "pulsing" the brakes to the individual wheels to help maintain maximum tire traction with road surface. During braking, sensors monitor the rotational speed of each wheel and a computer compares the individual wheel speeds to prevent wheel lock up.
The car above, on the right is the vehicle with ABS - while you step on the brakes you are still able to control the car and steer. The vehicle on the left, when you step on the brakes you can turn the steering wheel as many times as you want and the car will not turn. I never knew this about ABS - never really understood what it did or how important it can be. Thanks Lexus!
Before we end our week long feature about vehicle safety I would like to introduce you to www.kidsandcars.org. I had the honor to meet Janette Fennel, the founder and president of KidsandCars.org, a national non-profit organization that works to keep children safe in and around motor vehicles. You could see the passion she has for what she does while making it really come across what an important issue this is.
KIDS AND CARS Goals and Objectives:
- KidsandCars.org maintains a a national database on injuries and deaths that occur to children as a result of nontraffic, noncrash incidents.
- Develop and implement programs that educate and raise awareness of the public about the dangers of leaving children unattended in and around vehicles.
- Provide legislators and other policymakers with the information and support they need to implement laws to reduce and eliminate unnecessary death and injury to children.
- Create a social climate in which children are never left unattended in or around a vehicle, even for a moment.
- Recommend regulations for product redesign to promote safer vehicles.