Smart Vehicle Safety System Using Arduino: An Experimental Study in Bahrain’s Driving Conditions

The high rate of vehicle accidents is increasingly linked to drivers failing to maintain adequate safety distances between their vehicles and those in front. This issue is exacerbated by varying weather conditions such as rain, sandstorms, and fog. To mitigate this problem, we propose an Arduino-based intelligent system designed to assist drivers in maintaining safe distances and adjusting their speed accordingly. This system integrates an ultrasonic distance sensor, a rain sensor, a liquid crystal display with I2C, four gear motors, a motor driver, and an Arduino UNO. The ultrasonic sensor measures the distance to the vehicle ahead, and based on this data, the system calculates the recommended speed using an equation derived from safe distance calculations for different speeds. In adverse weather conditions, detected by the rain sensor, the system adjusts the equation to account for reduced visibility and road traction. This ensures that the recommended speed remains safe under varying environmental conditions. Experimental results from multiple locations across Bahrain demonstrate the system’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios. These tests reveal how the system can adapt to different environmental conditions and provide accurate speed recommendations to enhance road safety. By addressing the critical issue of maintaining safe distances and adjusting to changing conditions, this system significantly contributes to reducing accident rates and improving overall vehicle safety.