Car Safety Features

Car safety features like seat belts, air bags or head restraint are the first things you must be keen of when trying to buy either a used or brand new car.

Car Safety Features

Car safety features are the first things you must check when buying a car, either a used or brand new. Try on the seat belts and test drive the car —  these are the first two actions you must do before deciding on a car to buy. Test drives must be made on the evening to ensure if the headlights are bright enough for night travel. Inspect the head restraints, roof structures and windshields very carefully in such a way that these vehicle parts do not affect your visibility.

Seat belt

The seat belt keeps you within your seat during a crash while reducing your chances of hitting the steering wheel, the dashboard or the windshield during a collision. Seat belts are particularly important during a head-on collision. An additional feature of the seat belts is a seat belt pre-tensioner that retracts the seat belt to eliminate excess slack immediately during a crash. An adjustable upper belt allows you to vary the setting of the shoulder strap according to the body size of the user. This feature encourages the passenger to always wear the seat belt since it adds on shoulder belt comfort.

Air bags

Another important car safety feature is the air bags. Cars generally include front and side airbags for total cushioning in times of vehicle crash. Other car models also have curtain airbags.

Deployed curtain and torso airbags
Deployed curtain and torso airbags

Front air bags are designed to inflate instantaneously with vehicle impact to prevent the occupant from hitting the windshield, steering wheel and dashboard. It also provides the passenger a cushioned relief after the collision.

Front airbag deployed during crash test
Front airbag deployed during crash test

Side air bags reduce the chances of passengers from hitting the inner side of the door or other objects also during a crash.

Head restraint

A head restraint is an extension of the vehicle seat to limit head movement during a crash particularly during rear impacts. The head restraint can significantly reduce neck injuries during a crash. Head restraints may be adjusted manually or automatically and are required in the front seats. A dynamic head restraint always provides a reliable protection to the passenger.

Anti-lock brake system

An anti-lock brake system or ABS avoids locking of the vehicle wheels during sudden or panic braking, allowing the driver to appropriately control steering and avoiding collision. The anti-lock brake system also includes a brake assist which detects an emergency braking by sensing the speed and force exerted by the driver on the brake pedal and boosting power as required. Here’s a video on Mitsubishi L200 Anti-lock Braking System.

Traction control

A traction control system controls the amount of slippage of the drive wheels after exerting excessive power to improve vehicle stability. The control system adjusts the engine power output automatically and generates braking force to the selected wheel or wheels during acceleration.

Electronic stability control unit

An electronic stability control unit is included to help drivers achieve reliable control of their vehicles when performing extreme steering maneuvers. An all-wheel drive system combined with traction control prevents the drive wheels from slipping after exerting excess power during acceleration.

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  • Adjustable Steering ColumnAdjustable steering column lets the driver adjust the height of the wheel and its distance from the driver according to his comfort or preference for driving.
  • Side Impact Protection SystemThe Side Impact Protection System has been improved by putting energy absorbing materials in the doors, pillars, subframe rails, roof and seats of vehicles.
  • Intelligent Speed AssistanceIntelligent Speed Assist (ISA) is a system that monitors the speed of a vehicle when it exceeds the posted speed road limit. It warns the driver to slow down.
  • Occupant CompartmentCar manufacturers ensure that vehicles are built and designed to keep damage far from the occupant compartment, including standard safety devices.
  • Seat BeltThe basic principle of seat belt is to keep you from hurdling toward the dashboard or from flying through the windshield when your car sudden stops.
  • Crumple ZoneThe crumple zone (also known as the crash zone) is an area in car where impact energy is absorbed and reduced. Crumple zones are designed to crumple and deform in the event of a collision.
  • Thorax Airbags with HeadIf you plan on buying a new car, pay attention to the safety features your new car will offer -- like thorax airbags with head.
  • Blind Spot Warning SystemBlind Spot Warning System detects the distance and closing speed of objects in adjacent lanes and alerts the driver if a collision is about to happen
  • Active Cruise ControlThe Active Cruise Control (ACC) has the ability to detect or monitor any vehicle in front within 600 feet distance and to adjust speed at a safe reaction level.
  • Brake Assist SystemBrake Assist (BA) or Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) refers to the vehicle braking system in times of emergency.
  • Active Braking SystemsActive braking system, also known as Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) or Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) uses sensors for impending collision.
  • Daytime Running LampsDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) increase the visibility of moving vehicles for other road users and reduced daytime multiple-vehicle crashes.
  • Fog LampsFog lamps or lights are designed to be used at low speed to add to the illumination directed to the surface and verges of the roads during poor visibility.
  • Traction ControlA traction control system (TCS) or anti-slip regulation (ASR) is designed to avoid losing traction control of vehicle.
  • Head RestraintsHead restraints are very important safety feature to avoid whiplash or similar injury to the cervical vertebrae in rear impact crash.
  • Antilock Braking SystemSkidding and steering control problems would be reduced during emergency because of the development of antilock braking systems.
  • Curtain AirbagsUp to 45% of cases of brain injury or death during side impact crashes are reduced when vehicles have curtain airbags as a safety feature.
  • Car Safety KitsCar safety kits should be stored car trunk like jumper cables, an inflated spare tire, roadside reflectors, reflective safety test and others.
  • Car Safety ChecklistA driver must always go through a car safety checklist to ensure everything in the car is operating correctly and passengers are safe.
  • Vehicle SafetyTo ensure that vehicle safety, check that a vehicle has the necessary safety devices following the standards determined by car safety ratings in your country.
  • Airbag SafetyAirbag safety involves the proper deployment of the airbag to effectively cushion the person during a collision or a crash.
  • Car Safety DevicesCar safety devices are very important in reducing possible injuries and deaths during a car crash and is the basis for all car safety ratings for buyers.
  • Car SafetyCar safety is very important to reduce the occurrence of vehicle accidents. A broader scope of car safety is road traffic safety broadly, e.g. roadway design.

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