What You Should Know About Vehicle Safety Features

Updated on May 10, 2022

Due to the increase in traffic accidents and rise in morbidity and mortality, vehicles are now equipped with advanced safety measures that can prevent accidents and their drastic consequences. Around 6.7 million car accidents were recorded in 2019 in the US alone, resulting in 36,096 deaths which would have been a lot worse without modern safety measures. You need to have a comprehensive knowledge about these safety measures before buying any vehicle. 

Here is a list of safety features and driver assistance devices one should look for while buying a vehicle, for limiting accidents and crash-related injuries.

The seat belt:

The introduction of seatbelts has improved car safety significantly. Initially, a two-point design was used which only looped around the waist leaving the head and chest of the person prone to injuries. Modern seat belts are a 3-point design that holds the torso in position during a collision. The 3-point seat belt has been mandatory in the US since 1973.

Air Bags:

Airbags prevent the head of the driver from colliding with the steering wheel during a frontal crash. Dual front airbags, with one on each side, are mandatory in the US since 1998. Some cars are also equipped with optional side-curtain airbags, which provide further protection in the case of side collisions.

ABS (anti-lock brake system): 

This antilock brake system allows a driver to completely stop in a short time and prevents the brake from locking up due to increased pressure. They also help the driver maintain control over steering the vehicle during accidents. This system has been mandatory in vehicles since 1990 in the United States.

ECS (Electronic stability control): 

Electronic stability control is important in larger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and trollers which are more prone to rollover. It helps prevent larger vehicles from skidding and sliding out which eventually results in rolling over of the vehicles.

Pre-collisions assist system:

This system includes a camera, lasers, and sensors, which prevent the vehicle from drifting into another lane by adjusting the steering wheel or by applying brakes. It can give alerts to the driver like traffic warnings, lane departure, and forward collisions. This system is also known as a collision avoidance or mitigation system.

Tire pressure monitoring system:

Changes in tire pressure can lead to tire blowouts, which can result in deadly accidents. These pressure changes can’t be seen with the naked eye. To deal with such conditions, this tire pressure monitoring system constantly monitors pressure levels in tires therefore reducing the risks of a tire blowout.

Modern cars are now equipped with adaptive headlights that point in the direction that the vehicle is heading making visibility clear, and an adaptive cruise control system that automatically adjusts the speed of the vehicle to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Also, modern cars are equipped with ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and radars to detect objects which can also not be seen by the driver while turning or changing lanes.

“The above safety systems and technologies must be considered when buying or leasing a car. This is the best way to protect you and your loved ones from consequences of road traffic accidents.” States Personal Injury Lawyer Rich Godshall from Ostroff Injury Law.

Filing an injury claim

In the case of an accident, it is difficult to determine who is responsible, whether it is the driver of the vehicle or any defective safety feature in the vehicle. An experienced lawyer will help you determine the cause and will guide you on how to claim your injury.

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