User:Pat Palmer/sandbox/Driver-assist technologies

Here are eight newer technologies to look for the next time you are in the market for a new vehicle.

• Adaptive cruise control (ACC)

   Automatically maintains a set following distance from the vehicle directly ahead of your car using sensors, cameras, and radar.

• Automatic emergency braking (AEB)

   Monitors traffic, alerts the driver of a possible collision, and applies the vehicle’s brakes if it detects a possible collision. Some systems will bring the vehicle to a complete stop, while others will decelerate it until the driver reacts.

• Blind spot warning (BSW)

   Alerts the driver of vehicles entering the blind spots on either side of their car when changing lanes.

• Forward collision warning (FCW)

   Warns of vehicles or other objects in front of a vehicle and will automatically apply the brakes. This technology is often integrated with AEB.

• Lane-tracing assist (LTA)

   It helps prevent their vehicle from drifting into another lane, working with the auto›s adaptive cruise control.

• Lane-centering assistance (LCA)

   It uses cameras to detect lane markings and works to keep the vehicle centered and not drift into another lane.

• Lane-departure warning (LDW)

   Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift into another lane using a camera to detect when vehicle drivers over the lane markers.

• Rear cross traffic warning (RCTW)

   RCTW turns on when the vehicle is backing out of a parking spot, driveway, or into crossing traffic. Similar to blind-spot monitoring, RCTW uses radar or ultrasonic sensors on the rear bumper.