It is a common misconception that if you use your car for regular city driving, you do not need to worry as much about safety. Accidents can occur at any time, however, and it is always best to be prepared. This is important whether you drive with your family or alone. If you are planning on buying a new vehicle soon, you should look for these safety features in cars before making your decision.
1. Automatic emergency braking
Commonly known as AEB, automatic emergency braking allows a vehicle to automatically judge a situation of a possible collision and apply breaks. AEB is so effective that a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the country showed that rear-end crashes reduced by 50 percent in cars fitted with this technology. Those are fabulous statistics and show that AEB is something that should be on your mind when choosing a car.
2. Rear-view camera
A rear-view camera is a must-have in any vehicle. It helps the driver reverse accurately and more importantly, prevents young children or animals from being hit while the car is in reverse. A camera with a rearview connects to a screen in the car that shows what is at the back of the car. It also has a wide-angle view. Additionally, these cameras are aimed downward to give a better view of the area the driver cannot see. No matter how many years of driving experience you have using only the car mirror, it is always wise to look for these safety features in cars and take advantage of the benefits of technology.
3. Airbags
A new car would come with airbags fitted in it. It is equally important to ensure that a used car has working airbags before making the purchase. Airbags can save your life in the event of a collision. However, do note that having airbags does not take away the need for a seatbelt. You still need to wear a seatbelt for maximum protection in the event of an accident. Also, never keep a rear-facing child seat in the front with an airbag.
4. Anti lock braking system
Commonly known as ABS, this feature prevents the car’s wheels from suddenly getting locked in the event of an emergency brake. This helps the driver maintain greater control over the steering of the vehicle. Cars may either have a four-wheel ABS or a two-wheel ABS. Do make sure this feature exists in a vehicle before you purchase it as having working ABS can save lives.
5. Adaptive cruise control
Using high technology from radar and sensors, adaptive cruise control (ACC) automatically accelerates the vehicle and applies brakes depending on the traffic. The ACC works to maintain a safe distance between the vehicles around. ACC is mainly used by drivers on highways during long hours of driving. In situations of emergency, this cruise control system is able to apply sudden breaks and even make seat belts tighten.
So, even if you want to use your vehicle for driving around in the city, look for these safety features in cars to ensure optimum safety.