What are the main features you look for when shopping for a car? No matter what features you focus on, make sure that you don’t compromise in safety. Advanced vehicle safety technologies and high crash test ratings can literally be the difference between life and death in an accident. The safety features behind cars tend to evolve along with time. That’s why you should follow this up to date guide on care safety features and make the right call while buying a new car.
Best Research Tools for Vehicle Safety
Before we start, it is worth being aware of the research tools available to look up on car safety. This is where you can use a VIN research tool. In the UK, every vehicle has a unique VIN number stamped on the chassis providing access to its specifications and history through the DVLA. By inputting the VIN, you can look up vehicle specs and verify whether they match the seller’s claims. For example, if you’re considering purchasing a Toyota, you can use the Toyota VIN Decoder to access crucial details about the car’s specifications, safety features, and history. This tool can also reveal whether any recall repairs are outstanding, ensuring you’re making an informed choice.
You can also access model-specific Euro NCAP testing to better understand real-world crash performance.Useful consumer websites like WhatCar and AutoExpress compile safety ratings information alongside reviews. By consulting multiple trusted resources and tools like a VIN decoder, you can confirm the level of protection offered by different makes and models. By investing time in researching, you can find a quality vehicle that prioritizes passenger safety.
Key Safety Features to Consider
The level of safety a vehicle provides depends on a variety of factors – from airbags to advanced driver assistance systems. It’s important to understand what safety credentials to look for and research any car you are considering buying based on independent testing and safety ratings. Here are the key safety features to look at when you buy a car.
Crash Test Ratings
One of the first things to investigate about any new car is its crash test performance rating. Independent organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US and Euro NCAP in Europe conduct collision testing and evaluate how well vehicles protect occupants.
Cars are rated on a 5-star scale, with more stars equaling better crashworthiness. Areas tested include frontal impact, side impact, rollover risk, and more. Earning high marks from NHTSA and Euro NCAP testing indicates automakers have prioritized safety in their designs. Checking these ratings helps compare the safety levels different cars offer in the areas that matter most.
Airbags
Airbags work hand-in-hand with seat belts to help cushion occupants in a crash. All new cars come equipped with front driver and passenger airbags. However, it’s also vital to have side airbags protecting front seat occupants in side collisions and curtain airbags deploying down the side windows offering head protection.
The more airbags a vehicle has, the more comprehensive coverage you’ll receive in an accident. When checking out a new car, don’t just ask if it has airbags – determine how many and where they are located. The most protective systems will have bags placed throughout seating positions to limit injuries.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are essential for maintaining control of a vehicle in urgent stopping situations. When brakes are slammed on, wheels can cease rolling and start skidding. ABS modulates brake pressure to allow the wheels to keep turning even during hard braking.
This enables the driver to continue steering while stopping swiftly. Having ABS kick in can help you avoid accidents in emergency maneuvers when traction is limited. This key safety feature comes standard on essentially all new passenger vehicles today.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Advancing upon anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control (ESC) applies selective braking when sensors detect loss of control. During maneuvers like fast turns, the system brakes individual wheels as needed to help keep the car stable and prevent skidding or fishtailing.
ESC reacts much faster than human reflexes, making quick adjustments to avoid spinning out. Government studies show it has led to significant reductions in fatal accidents – with NHTSA estimating it saved nearly 8,000 lives in passenger vehicles over 4 years. ESC technology provides a vital boost in safety for both drivers and passengers.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
The latest innovations in auto safety center around advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These technologies offer added protections by warning drivers of dangers and even delivering automatic emergency intervention.
Key examples include:
- Adaptive cruise control to automatically adjust speed based on surrounding traffic
- Lane departure warning to alert when crossing lines without signaling
- Automatic emergency braking to detect impending collisions and activate brakes
Such systems provide back-up assistance to prevent accidents. When used properly with attentive driving, ADAS has incredible lifesaving potential. With continual improvement, automated safety aids offer more comprehensive protection on the road.
Other Important Safety Considerations
Apart from the main safety considerations we shared above, there are few more to be mindful about. They include:
Visibility Considerations
While much focus goes toward collision protection, it’s also critical to pick a car with excellent sightlines and visibility features. Being able to clearly see hazards allows you to avoid accidents.
Key factors that impact visibility include headlights, rear lights, mirrors, and cameras. The best headlight systems provide bright, well-focused beams with a wide field of illumination. This allows for an earlier reaction at night. Quality taillights make your brake signals highly visible so cars behind you can respond promptly.
Larger side mirrors minimize blind spots, so you notice surrounding vehicles. Rearview cameras and parking sensors also enhance ability to perceive obstacles around the car while maneuvering in reverse. When road testing vehicles, pay attention to how visibility coverage feels compared to your current car.
Child Passenger Protections
Drivers wanting enhanced safety for child passengers should verify back seat security provisions. Key aspects to check are LATCH system anchors for properly securing car seats and door locks preventing kids from opening doors during driving.
The lower LATCH anchors provide attachment points to keep child seats firmly attached in accidents. Meanwhile, rear door locks and window locks prevent accidental opening which could put young ones at risk. Responsibly transporting children means guaranteeing their protection.
Tire Safety Systems
Your vehicles tires significantly influence handling performance and control. An essential tire-related safety feature for passenger vehicles today is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). TPMS frequently checks pressures and alerts you to any under-inflation threatening tire integrity and drivability.
Maintaining recommended tire pressures allows for optimal grip and braking traction. TPMS safeguards you if any tire encounters low pressure so it can be addressed promptly. Regular tire inspections also help confirm adequate tread depth for safe travels.
Final Words
Safety needs to remain forefront when picking out your next car. Seeking vehicles with high test crash ratings ensures automakers have gone through independent evaluation verifying effective life-saving design. Once crashworthiness is confirmed, inspect that critical systems like airbags, ABS, and ESC are included across trim packages.
Research vehicle history reports for recalls and dig into advanced driver assistance technologies now modernizing safety. Round things out by confirming visibility coverage, child protections, and tire monitoring meet your family’s needs. Investing in safety reduces risks so you can travel with greater confidence and peace of mind.
