A lot of space is used up on safety equipment. As one small example A-Pillars (at the edges of the windshield) are very large to incorporate the safety cage, rollover protection, and airbags. [1] This leads to a weird problem where the car is very safe in a crash, but slightly more likely to get in an accident due to visibility issues.<p>There are existing lane change warning systems for rear visibility, I expect there will soon be forward sensing systems as well; and of course SDCs are coming as well.<p>Seats also take up a significant amount of room - partly to safety considerations, but also a bit to lazy design.<p>1. <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;wardsauto.com&#x2F;news-analysis&#x2F;new-pillars-enhance-safety-impede-visibility" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;wardsauto.com&#x2F;news-analysis&#x2F;new-pillars-enhance-safet...</a>