New vehicle technologies can be equal parts science and fiction, but in the category of safety systems, every new advancement exponentially increases the well being of drivers and passengers.

And these developments can translate into a greater bottom line if you can educate your wholesale and retail customers to the advantages of high-tech driver safety.

With adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems, the car can adjust to changes in speed and traffic pattern before the driver’s even aware of these circumstances.

Other high-tech functions include lane departure warnings and alerts for driver drowsiness through vibrations and audible alarms, as well as rearview cameras that can be monitored from the vehicle cockpit.

When approaching a dangerous situation on the road, every second helps, so it’s critical to maximize this avoidance time for drivers, says Ingolf Sischka, product manager for Philips Automotive Lighting North America. “The later you recognize that there is a risk situation, the shorter time you have to respond,” he says. “The more time we give the driver, the safer the situation.”

The Philips lineup focuses on active (seeing) and passive (being seen) safety, with an emphasis on visibility, like the company’s VisionPlus bulb, which offers a longer beam; X-Treme Power, which provides a brighter light beam; and NightGuide, a three-in-one safety lamp.

“With xenon HID being so far developed, today it’s perceived to be the best lighting solution for new cars,” he adds. “Of course, there are newer technologies down the road, and we have developed LED solutions.”

Along with a greater visibility range, LED lights open up a whole new spectrum of design possibilities as well due to their small, non-restrictive size and design.

Looking ahead, communication will be key with these safety systems, as the vehicle will “talk” to other cars or fixed sensors to gather information.

Smarter tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can basically ascertain road conditions from the street level.

Another example is Delphi’s multimode electronically scanning radar (ESR), which combines adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support, something that the company says replaces traditional multiple-beam radar. Known as “sensor fusion,” this system combines a sophisticated camera, vision control module, radar sensor and data fusion algorithms.

Similarly, DENSO’s adaptive cruise control system takes advantage of a vehicle distance electronic control unit (ECU), which figures out if the object detected is movable or stationary and adjusts vehicle speed accordingly.

This system also boasts high-resolution detection of vehicle distance using a newly developed time measurement circuit, and precise monitoring of the road and cruising conditions and smooth speed control using various sensor data, according to the company.

With all this technology, it’s a safe assumption that these systems will cost more for the vehicle owner.

Although he admits that innovation brings with it a higher price tag, the cost of true safety is priceless, says Sischka. “In the end, if you can avoid an accident, that safety system usually pays for itself.”

And some of Philips’ recent developments reveal a long-term value. The company’s “xenon HID lighting consumes 35 watts compared to a halogen bulb,” he adds. “If you compare with a lifetime (how much less power you’re using) you actually gain the value back.”