Active Safety, Passive Safety and ADAS Systems | DGT Exam

🔧 1. Active safety

Refers to vehicle features that help prevent accidents. They depend on the driver’s actions and operate before impact.

  • 🚦 Braking (ABS, EBD)
  • 💡 Lighting
  • ⚙️ Power steering
  • 🔄 Stability and traction

🛡️ 2. Passive safety

These systems are designed to reduce the consequences of an accident once it occurs. They act automatically.

  • 🔗 Seat belt
  • 🎈 Airbags
  • 🧱 Bodywork with crumple zones
  • 🪟 Laminated and safety glass
  • 👥 Properly adjusted head restraints

🚗 2.1 Bodywork

Must guarantee a minimum safety space. It should not be modified so as to avoid increased risk in pedestrian impacts.

🛑 2.2 Protective devices

  • 🚛 Rear: Prevents vehicles from underrunning from behind.
  • 🚚 Side: Side underrun protection required on goods vehicles.

💨 2.3 Mudguards

Prevent spray. Not mandatory on special vehicles, but recommended.

🪑 2.4 Head restraints

Prevent neck injuries. Must be set at the correct height.

🎈 2.5 Airbag

Deploys in severe collisions. Always complements the seat belt. Children must not travel in front seats with an active front airbag.

⛑️ 3. Seat belt

Reduces fatalities and serious injuries by 40%. Mandatory for all occupants in passenger cars, vans, and motorcycles (if fitted).

  • 🚸 Mandatory: On all types of roads, with limited exceptions.
  • 👶 Prohibited: Using clips or modifiers.
  • 🤰 Pregnant drivers/passengers: Fully mandatory since 2016.

🔒 3.1 Exceptions

Not required for:

  • 🚕 Taxi drivers on duty
  • 📦 Drivers doing frequent loading/unloading
  • 🚑 Emergency services
  • 👨‍🏫 Supervisors with access to dual controls (e.g., instructor)

👶 4. Child restraint systems

Mandatory for children under 135 cm. A system suitable for the child’s weight and height must be used.

  • 🔙 Rear-facing up to age 4
  • ➡️ Forward-facing from ages 4 to 12

🪖 5. Helmet

Mandatory for drivers and passengers of:

  • 🏍️ Motorcycles
  • 🛵 Mopeds
  • 🚛 Three-wheelers and quadricycles

Must be approved and properly fastened. Exemptions: medical certificate and vehicles with a protective structure plus seat belt.

🕶️ 6. Protective glasses

Recommended for motorcyclists. Should be anti-reflective, anti-fog, and provide good visibility.

🧠 7. ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)

ADAS enhance safety using sensors, radars, and cameras. Notable systems include:

  • 🧱 Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEBS)
  • 🛣️ Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
  • ⚠️ Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
  • 🚘 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • 📷 Rear-view cameras and parking sensors
  • 🌙 Automatic high-beam assistant
  • 😴 Drowsiness detection
  • 🌧️ Automatic activation of lights and wipers
  • 🔁 Start-Stop for energy saving

✅ These systems do not replace the driver, but they improve reaction capability and reduce accident risk.


Take the test

Other articles