In the modern era of automobiles, there is no doubt that the world has become safer than ever before. With new safety features coming out with each passing year, it’s a good time to be a driver. However, not all cars are created equal when it comes to keeping their occupants safe.
Even in the same segment and price range, some vehicles offer more safety features than others. But how can you tell if a car is equipped with enough safety features? There are many different safety features available in cars today. Some may have several while others have fewer. Moreover, certain features may be more important than others depending on your driving habits and lifestyle. Whether you are buying a new car or planning on leasing one, it never hurts to know what standard safeties your car should have before signing on that dotted line. In this article we will highlight ten standard features every car should have:
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control (ESC) is a technology that helps keep your car from skidding or losing control. If one of your tires becomes partially or fully detached from the road, it can cause your car to skid and fishtail. Most cars come with ESC as standard. This technology is usually integrated with your car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS). It uses sensors to track the speed of each wheel and notice when any one wheel starts to spin too quickly (e.g. when one of your tires is detached from the road). When it detects a skid, ESC helps bring your car back under control by manipulating your brakes. This allows your car to come to a controlled stop, instead of swerving all over the road.
Traction Control
Traction control (TC) is a feature that helps you maintain control of your vehicle in slippery conditions. If you are driving on ice, snow, or mud, the traction control of your car will kick in and automatically lower the engine power to prevent you from spinning out. Curiously, this feature is not standard in all vehicles. Some cars will have it as a standard safety feature and others will have it as an optional extra. If you live in a cold or snowy region, you may want to check if your vehicle has traction control and make sure it is turned on.
Curtain Airbags
Curtain airbags are an essential feature in your car’s safety package. They are designed to protect both the front and rear seat passengers. Curtain airbags are important for two reasons. First, they help keep your passengers safe in the event of a head-on or side collision. Second, they keep your passengers from being ejected from the car in a serious accident. Curtain airbags are standard in almost all new cars. However, if you want to buy a used car, make sure that it has these airbags. If it doesn’t, you should reconsider buying it.
Backup Camera
There have been incidents where people would back out of their driveway and didn’t know that there is an object or more dangerously, a person in the rear of the car. Sadly, there have been situations where parents were backed up and hit their children. This is due to blind spots where, if the person or object is below the vision of the rear windshield.
Backup cameras resolve this issue. The latest cameras don’t just show you what’s behind your car when your car is in reverse, but also alert you via audio if there is something behind the car. This is an excellent feature and is highly recommended, especially if you own an SUV or a car with a large trunk.
Most standard cars still do not have this feature, but it may be offered as an option. It might be a little more expensive; however, it is well worth it. With that said, all luxury vehicles have this option installed. If your existing car does not have a backup camera, you can purchase one through a third-party auto retailer.
Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) / Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
Lane departure warning systems (LDWS) are designed to prevent you from unintentionally drifting into another lane. If you drive with your hands off the steering wheel for more than 10 seconds, your car will sound alert and vibrate the steering wheel to get your attention. LDWSs are usually integrated with your car’s cruise control system. They use the same sensors to detect when you are driving too closely to the car in front of you. They also let you know if you are about to accidentally cross into another lane. However, not all LDWSs are created equal. Some systems are better than others. And some are just gimmicks designed to get you to buy a more expensive car. If you want to make sure that your car has a reliable LDWS, take a close look at the product details before buying it.
Auto-Dim Mirror and Light Sensor
An auto-dim mirror is a standard safety feature that comes with all new cars. This feature lets your side mirrors dim when you turn on your headlights. The idea behind this is to prevent you from being blinded by the glare coming off your mirrors at night. Auto-dim mirrors are usually paired with a light sensor. This sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of your side mirrors based on the light conditions in your surroundings. Auto-dim mirrors and light sensors are standard in most new cars. If you are buying a used car, this is one safety feature you can ensure is present.
Electronic Parking Brake and Auto Hold Function
An electronic parking brake (EPB) is standard on most cars these days. If you see a button on the console or a lever behind the steering wheel, your car probably has an EPB. EPBs are easy to use and great for people who have difficulty applying manual pressure to a regular foot brake. When you are in a car without an EPB, you might have to press down on the parking brake pedal with your foot as long as you are parked. This can take up a lot of space and be inconvenient if your car is parked in a tight spot. An EPB saves you the hassle of having to use the parking brake. To apply it, you simply have to tap a button on the console.
Conclusion
Cars have not only become safer for the occupants but also for pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. Many of the safety features discussed here are designed to reduce accidents and prevent injuries from happening in the first place. Modern cars are equipped with a wide variety of safety features, from lane