10 Safety features to look for in your next car

July 6, 2023

Enhancing Road Safety: The Importance of Car Safety Features

Car safety features are advanced technologies that minimise the risk of accidents and protect vehicle occupants in the event of crashes. These features save lives, reduce injuries, and enhance road safety. Driver-assistance technologies play a crucial role in accident prevention by improving vehicle control. Over time, safety features have evolved, contributing to minimising accident risks through the use of driver assistance technology.

In Australia, car safety is assessed through comprehensive crash tests conducted by ANCAP, which assigns safety ratings ranging from one to five stars. Higher ANCAP ratings indicate safer cars, motivating manufacturers to improve safety features. Prioritising vehicles with high ANCAP ratings promotes the adoption of cutting-edge safety technologies, ultimately reducing road accidents and enhancing overall road safety.

Let’s look at some of the important safety features out there.

1. Seatbelts – These are a fundamental safety feature in any vehicle, as they save lives and prevent serious injuries during accidents. When occupants wear seatbelts, they are securely restrained, which helps distribute the impact force across the body’s strongest parts and reduces the risk of severe harm. Despite the presence of advanced vehicle safety technologies, seatbelts remain the primary defence against potential road accidents. In Australia, there are consistent nationwide seatbelt usage laws across states and territories, with fines and penalties imposed for non-compliance by both drivers and passengers.

2. Airbags – Another  vital safety feature in modern vehicles, providing crucial protection during collisions. Front airbags deploy from the steering wheel and dashboard, safeguarding the driver and front passenger in head-on collisions. Side airbags deploy from seats or door panels, protecting occupants during side-impact collisions. Curtain airbags are designed to shield occupants’ heads in rollovers or side-impact accidents. Together with seatbelts, airbags reduce impact forces on occupants, minimising the risk of head, chest, and abdominal injuries. Overall, airbags are crucial in enhancing vehicle safety and mitigating the severity of injuries in various collisions.

3. The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) – This is a safety feature that prevents wheels from locking up during emergency braking, thereby reducing the risk of skidding. By rapidly pulsing the braking force to each wheel, ABS maintains traction with the road surface and allows for steering control during hard braking. This improves overall braking performance, helps prevent accidents, and ensures safer driving on slippery roads. ABS is now a standard feature in modern vehicles, guaranteeing increased safety and reliability for all road users.

4. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – This feature maintains vehicle stability and control, especially on slippery roads or during emergency manoeuvres. It intervenes when skidding is detected, applying brakes selectively and reducing engine power to prevent veering off the intended path. ESC effectively counteracts oversteering and understeering tendencies, ensuring stability and responsiveness to the driver’s inputs. In adverse weather or emergencies, ESC significantly reduces the risk of accidents caused by loss of control. It enhances overall safety, providing drivers with added confidence and peace of mind.

5. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – This is an innovative feature that enhances highway safety by intelligently managing a vehicle’s speed and maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead. Using sensors and radar, ACC detects the distance and relative speed of the car in front, adjusting the speed to match traffic flow and keeping a pre-set following distance. This minimises the risk of rear-end collisions, reduces constant speed adjustments, and alleviates driver fatigue during long journeys. ACC significantly contributes to highway safety, making it a valuable feature for modern vehicles.

6. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) – Cutting-edge safety systems that prevent unintentional lane drifting and enhance road safety. LDW uses cameras or sensors to monitor the vehicle’s position within the lane and alerts the driver if drifting occurs without a turn signal. LKA takes it further by actively guiding the vehicle back into the lane. These systems prevent accidents caused by drowsiness, distraction, or adverse weather conditions. LDW and LKA significantly reduce the risk of accidents related to lane departure, contributing to overall road safety and making driving a safer and more secure experience.

7. Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) – BSM is a valuable safety feature that helps drivers detect vehicles in their blind spots, not visible through side mirrors. Using radar sensors or cameras, BSM monitors adjacent lanes and triggers alerts when another vehicle enters the blind spot zone. This real-time feedback enhances the driver’s visibility, reduces the risk of collisions, and promotes safer driving practices.

8. Rearview cameras prevent backup accidents and enhance visibility while manoeuvring. They eliminate blind spots, showing obstacles and pedestrians hidden from view. This feature is invaluable in tight parking spaces, reducing property damage, injuries, and fatalities, making rearview cameras a crucial safety addition in modern vehicles.

9. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) – Working together to detect potential frontal collisions. FCW monitors the road ahead and alerts the driver of potential hazards. If the driver doesn’t respond quickly, AEB can automatically apply the brakes to reduce impact speed or stop the vehicle completely. These integrated features enhance road safety, preventing or minimising the severity of frontal collisions and making driving safer for drivers and pedestrians.

10. Pedestrian Detection Systems – Using cameras, radar, and sensors to identify pedestrians and vulnerable road users around the vehicle. Real-time visual and auditory warnings alert the driver, and in some cases, the system can autonomously apply brakes to prevent or mitigate collisions. These systems create safer urban environments for pedestrians and drivers by reducing pedestrian-related accidents and enhancing road safety.

Research has unequivocally demonstrated that advanced car safety features enhance road safety. According to recent studies, these cutting-edge technologies can potentially reduce the risk of serious crashes by an impressive 49% while also lowering the likelihood of sustaining injuries by an encouraging 53%. These safety features can be broadly categorised as passive, such as seat belts and airbags, or active, like stability control and automatic emergency braking. By harnessing the power of both passive and active safety measures, modern vehicles can create a robust shield of protection for drivers and occupants alike, ushering in a new era of safer and more secure journeys on our roads.

While concluding this blog, we would like to offer a word of caution. Modern car safety features have undoubtedly revolutionised the automotive industry and made driving safer than ever before. However, it is crucial to remember that the human factor remains paramount. Despite advanced technologies such as collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control, the alert and responsible driver remain the crucial linchpin in the safety chain. No matter how sophisticated the systems may be, without an attentive and vigilant human behind the wheel, the best safety features can still be susceptible to errors. Therefore, as we embrace the convenience and comfort of cutting-edge automotive technologies, let us always remember that the ultimate responsibility for safe driving lies with us, the drivers. By prioritising the human factor alongside these innovative safety systems, we can ensure a future where drivers and vehicles work harmoniously, fostering a safer and more responsible driving culture for generations to come.