When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle, safety features should be at the top of your priority list. With automotive technology evolving rapidly, modern vehicles now come equipped with a plethora of safety features designed to prevent accidents and protect passengers. Understanding what to look for can be overwhelming, so here’s a guide on the essential safety features you should inquire about when buying a vehicle:
Active Safety Features
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are designed to enhance vehicle safety and driving. These systems can alert the driver to potential problems and even intervene to avoid accidents. Key ADAS features to ask about include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This feature detects an imminent collision with another vehicle or obstacle and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond in time.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): ACC adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, making long drives on the highway less tiring and safer.
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): LKA prevents unintended lane departures by gently steering the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift without a turn signal activated.
Passive Safety Features
Structural Integrity and Airbags
While active safety features aim to prevent accidents, passive safety features are designed to protect passengers when a collision occurs. Essential passive safety features include:
- High-Strength Steel Frames: The vehicle’s frame plays a crucial role in passenger protection during a collision. Ask about the use of high-strength steel and crumple zones that absorb and distribute crash energy away from the cabin.
- Airbag Systems: Modern vehicles come equipped with multiple airbag systems, including front, side, curtain, and even knee airbags. Ensure the vehicle has a comprehensive airbag system for maximum protection.
Additional Safety Considerations
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps prevent skids and loss of control by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels, helping the driver maintain control on slippery roads. Traction Control prevents wheel spin during acceleration by reducing engine power or applying brakes to specific wheels, ensuring better traction.
In the unfortunate event of an accident, understanding how these safety features functioned at the time of the collision can be crucial. For instance, forensic car accident reconstruction can analyze whether safety features activated correctly and how they influenced the outcomes of the accident. Here at 4N6XPRT Systems, we have sophisticated tools, including forensic car accident reconstruction software, that can provide valuable insights. Our software is highly accurate, providing you with the information you need for court, insurance, or other purposes. To learn more, give us a call at 619-464-3478 today!