What is ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)?

Many of today’s vehicles include safety features that fall under the umbrella of ADAS. But what is ADAS, and what does it mean? These are important questions—and this blog will answer them for you. So, let’s start at the beginning.

What Is ADAS?

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, a general term for the safety technologies found in many modern vehicles. These systems were developed to help keep drivers safe on the road.

You may not know this, but 94% of auto accidents are caused by human error. In an effort to reduce that number, engineers developed ADAS technologies to assist drivers and minimize mistakes. Below, we’ll walk through some of the most common ADAS features in today’s vehicles.

Passive ADAS

These systems are called “passive” because they alert the driver to potential dangers, but require the driver to take action.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
When a driver oversteers or understeers—often during hazardous weather—ESC helps stabilize the vehicle.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
If you hit the brakes suddenly and the car begins to skid, ABS kicks in to help maintain steering control.

Traction Control System (TCS)
Working alongside ESC and ABS, this system helps maintain traction—especially when navigating curves or slippery roads.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
If your vehicle unintentionally swerves into another lane, LDW alerts you so you can correct your course. This feature is especially helpful for fatigued drivers.

Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
FCW warns you if a vehicle, object, or pedestrian suddenly appears in your path.

Blind Spot Detection
Designed to compensate for a driver’s blind spots, this system alerts you when a vehicle or object is detected in an area you might not see.

Backup Camera
This now-standard feature gives drivers a clear view of what’s behind their vehicle—preventing countless collisions.

Parking Assistance
This system helps guide your vehicle into tight or tricky parking spaces.

Active ADAS

“Active” systems go a step further—they respond automatically to avoid danger, without requiring driver intervention.

Emergency Steering
If an obstacle is detected, this system can automatically steer the vehicle to avoid a collision.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
If the system senses an imminent collision and the driver doesn’t brake in time, AEB will apply the brakes to help prevent or reduce the impact.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Perfect for long-distance drivers like salespeople and truckers, ACC adjusts your vehicle’s speed to match traffic flow—slowing down and speeding up as needed.

Lane Keeping Assist & Lane-Centering
Designed to combat fatigue-related swerving, this system gently steers your vehicle back into its lane if it detects drifting.

Traffic Jam Assist
Navigating stop-and-go traffic is less stressful thanks to this feature, which takes over acceleration, braking, and steering in slow-moving conditions.

Self-Parking
Parallel parking made easy! With this system, your car does the work—just sit back and let it park for you.

Will My ADAS Need Calibration After a Windshield Replacement?

Yes. Many of the ADAS features mentioned above rely on cameras, radar, and sensors mounted on your windshield. Replacing your windshield without recalibrating the system can cause these features to stop working or malfunction—such as sending false alerts or failing to detect obstacles. A reputable auto glass company will provide ADAS calibration as part of their windshield replacement service.

Do You Have Windshield Damage in the Birmingham, AL Area?

If you’ve discovered windshield damage in Hoover, Pelham, Leeds, or the surrounding areas of Alabama, contact Always Low Price Auto Glass. We offer both in-shop and mobile windshield replacement services, and our certified technicians can recalibrate your ADAS system to help keep you and your passengers safe. Click here for a free quote!