Best Safety Features in Cars

Vehicles today are safer than ever, thanks in large part to new technologies that are becoming more widely available and standard options. And, it is a good thing, considering we are seeing more and more traffic accidents, especially here in Colorado. Unfortunately, many cars on the road are older and do not enjoy many of these new features. The Highway Institute estimates that the average car is over 11 years old, marking an all-time high. And, while that can save you money, you may be compromising safety if you drive an older vehicle. As your auto collision repair team, we take a look at some of the best safety features in cars that you should consider when shopping for a new vehicle.

Car Safety Features: Airbags

Next to seat belts, obviously, airbags are among the best safety features in cars. And, while most vehicles going back to 2003 have the standard driver and passenger airbags, today even the cheapest new vehicle offer side-curtain airbags. Some new cars even offer inflatable seat belts as well as pedestrian airbags that pop over the windshield in case you hit someone in the street.

Auto Safety Features: Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)

While not a particularly new feature, ABS is a great safety feature that allows the driver to keep the brake depressed, while the system pumps the brakes. This allows the driver to steer and maintain control of the vehicle. While not federally mandated on vehicles, ABS works in conjunction with electronic stability controls (ESC), which did become required on new vehicles in 2012.

Top Safety Features for Cars: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Electronic stability control keeps your car on the road when you have lost control. ESC checks the direction of your vehicle 25 times per second to see if your direction corresponds to your steering point. If the system detects that your car is sliding, it applies the brakes and reduces engine torque to help straighten your car out. Many consider ESC to be a game changer in vehicle safety features, putting it up there with seat belts and airbags, yet few people have really heard of it. But, as mentioned above, it became a requirement on all new cars in 2012.

Car Safety: Backup Cameras

By May of 2018, it will be mandated that all passenger vehicles be equipped with backup cameras. As a result, we are seeing more than half of all new cars on the market have them as standard equipment. These cameras are great for seeing objects (or people) directly behind your car while in reverse. The only tricky thing is getting in the habit of using them, while still employing the old over-shoulder glance. But, for your large SUV vehicles, they are especially handy.

Auto Safety: Forward Collision Warning

We have discussed this technology previously, and it is becoming more widely available as an option on new vehicles. Some systems simply warn and alert the driver of a collision possibility.  Other collision warning systems actually slow the car down, making the impact less severe. More advanced systems claim they can make your vehicle come to a full stop, but those results do vary depending on conditions and the actual speed of your car.

Car Voice Control for Safe Driving

Voice controls are a bit controversial when it comes to safety features in cars. Many voice control systems allow you to call people and even listen to and respond to text messages. However, a lot of evidence is piling up that show that many of those features do not actually improve vehicle safety. This is because the controls can be confusing to operation while driving and do not eliminate driver distraction, which is the leading cause of fatal accidents on Colorado roads.

How to Use this Information

There is no doubt that today’s new cars are safer, thanks in large part to some newer features, as well as better collision safety construction. As always, the best safety feature on your car is your seat belt, as well as reducing speed and avoiding distraction. However, if you do find that your car gets into an accident and requires auto body repair, let our team of repair experts help. Call 303-344-2212 or contact us online.