Safety

Kyle McCabe shows off a neat prototype he put together a few years back – a car brake light that gets wider and brighter as more brake force is applied. A simple, yet smart idea we’d love to see go into production vehicles.

At first glance, this gadget looks like just another USB charger for your car’s cigarette lighter outlet. But this smartly-designed device also packs a spring-loaded glass breaker and a seat belt cutter, which can save your life if you’re ever in a car crash.

A waterproof jacket designed to keep cyclists and bikers as visible as possible. Its main body is made of reflective fabric to keep you visible at night. It’s even easier to see than than the Atlas Jacket thanks to its bright green fabric and large red LEDs.

A team of mechanical engineers from BYU have developed a lightweight, foldable shield which can protect multiple law enforcement and emergency personnel from gunfire. Made from 12 layers of Kevlar, it weighs about 40% less than the cumbersome shields used today.

A great EDC tool for firefighters, emergency workers, or anyone who might find themselves in dangerous environments. It slices through thick wires and cables, can tighten and loosen hose couplings, pries open doors and windows, and can shut off gas valves.

DV Hardware shares this dashcam footage of a road accident in the Netherlands. The video was taken onboard a Tesla Model X, which sensed a sudden deceleration two cars away, then beeped and braked on its own. Fortunately, no one was badly hurt.

Korean firm ETI Co Ltd. has developed a road barrier that could dramatically reduce the degree of injuries from collisions. The trick is that it helps disperse impacts into rotational energy along its conveyor-like rollers. Though it could send cars flying back into traffic.

Rather than cover your eyes with hard plastic that fogs up like mad, these safety goggles are made with a mesh which allows airflow, while blocking most particles from getting through. Also available in a fine mesh version, which blocks more dust.

It’s a well known fact that vehicular safety standards are much higher in the US and Europe than many places. The IIHS conducted a front overlap crash test to illustrate the dramatic difference between Nissan’s cheapest Mexican sedan, and its cheapest US sedan.

If you ever find yourself or a loved one trapped in a car crash, getting out quickly can spell the difference between life and death. This auto safety tool should be in your glovebox or on your belt loop, with its seatbelt cutter, window punch, LED flashlight, and survival knife.

An accessory for vehicles that don’t have rear-facing cameras. It has a pair of wide-angle cameras in a frame that mounts over the rear license plate. Video is sent via Bluetooth to your iOS or Android device. The app also alerts you of nearby objects.

A set of high tech bike lights that hold in place with powerful magnets. The headlight and rear brake light offer bright turn signals, and the rear light also projects a laser perimeter on both sides of your bike. A power-saving mode adjusts their intensity based on ambient light.

A US Coast Guard-approved, compact and reusable inflatable personal flotation device (PFD). The TD2401 measures just 11″x 4″ when packed. You can trigger its CO2 canister manually or just throw the device into the water, where it will automatically inflate.

Today I Found Out lists the many reasons why passenger planes don’t bother providing parachutes. For instance, the cruising speed and altitude of airliners are way above the safe limit to use parachutes.

Keep yourself safe and keep tabs on your drinking this compact breathalyzer. The DrinkMate fits neatly in your pocket, then plugs into your iOS or Android smartphone, letting you quickly and easily check your blood alcohol level. Save 20% in The Awesomer Shop.

This smartly designed backpack offers features to make bike rides safer. It’s got front and side profile lights, remote-controlled turn signals and an automatic brake light. It’s weather resistant, offers plentiful gear compartments, and can be splayed open for easy access.

A portable, unobtrusive and legal speed trap indicator. Instead of using radar, TrapTap uses location data and input from users to locate speed traps. It flashes red, green or blue depending on the zone or listed trap. You can add locations or turn it off by tapping on it.

The plight of Flint, Michigan’s residents made lead poisoning a hot topic, but Last Week Tonight reminds us that deadly lead is still in the paint inside millions of homes. John Oliver’s new neighbors dropped by to help him wake up lawmakers.

Peel-and-stick spoke reflectors that are incredibly thin, light and tough. Flectr has thousands of reflective prisms to ensure visibility, and its aerodynamic form will not flap, move or make noise even at high speeds. There’s also a wheel magnet variant.

Did you know that speedometers in European vehicles usually indicate a speed that’s higher than the actual value? Or that speed bumps result in a lot of deaths because they slow down medical vehicles? All that and more in Today I Found Out’s video.

The diminutive SpurCycle bicycle bell not only looks amazing, it’s been engineered to produce a satisfying “ping” sound that lasts significantly longer than traditional bells. Made in the USA from brass and stainless steel.

Bookman’s rechargeable bicycle lights are visible both straight ahead and from the side, thanks to their curved design. Their silicone strap fits up to 40mm poles. The front light lasts up to 35 hours per charge while the rear light lasts up to 10 hours per charge.

An improved version of the instantaneous water filter. Aside from the bacteria filter found in the original, LifeStraw Steel also has a carbon capsule that filters organic compounds such as herbicides and pesticides. It also has a durable steel body. Skip to 1:29.

The Zero1 minimizes the force of head impacts. Its soft outer layer and 1.5″ tall struts deform upon being hit, cushioning blows from any angle. It will be tested by college and NFL players this spring. Skip to 3:03. More here, here and here.

Record evidence in the event of traffic accidents with this convenient dashcam. It captures in 1080p HD with a 120° wide-angle lens. A built-in G-sensor automatically activates recording in the event of a collision or dangerous maneuvers. Save 40% in The Awesomer Shop.