Most buyers neglect to review the safety features in cars, in favor of other characteristics. Style, mileage, performance, and price seem to be the main factors that tend to influence purchase decisions. However, safety is one area that should not be taken lightly. You might think that those high-tech braking systems and fancy blindspot detectors are not very relevant in a car, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Given below are a few reasons why safety features in cars are of the utmost importance:
1. Accident statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that there were a total of around 7,277,000 car crashes in 2016 alone. And that 30 percent of those accidents lead to an injury and 0.5 percent to death.
Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show that safety features in cars reduce the probability of these accidents by a huge margin. One such study by IIHS proves that the number of accidents decreases by around 27 percent in cars fitted with essential safety features. Furthermore, some insurance companies give you a discount on their premium if your car is equipped with the necessary safety features.
2. Prevent crashes
Things may not always go smoothly when you are out on the road. Even with excellent driving skills and reflexes, there could arise certain possibilities of a crash occurring. Using the right safety features in cars can help avoid collisions.
Mostly, collision avoidance systems aim to prevent your car from rear-ending another vehicle. Automatic braking systems work where your reflexes fail and help you apply the brakes in time using sensors. Another great safety feature in cars is blindspot detection that helps prevent you any collisions. Studies show that using this feature cuts the possibility of an accident while changing lanes by 14 percent.
3. Better driving
Safety features in cars help prevent accidents by enhancing your driving experience. Certain features such as backup cameras can reduce crashes by functioning as a second set of eyes and keeping a lookout on blindspots and the rear end of the vehicle. This feature is helpful while you are reversing your vehicle or changing lanes.
Technology such as lane-departure warnings can help you drive smoothly and ensure you do not sway out of the right lane. Sometimes, it prevents us from crashing into a speeding vehicle while haphazardly changing lanes.
4. Fewer distractions
One of the main causes of road accidents, in recent times, has been the cell phone. Most drivers are so distracted talking on the phone, texting, or scrolling through social media sites that they forget to focus on the road ahead. A moment of taking your eyes off the road can lead to a fatal catastrophe. Hands-free technology or Bluetooth can help you keep your hands on the wheel while driving. There are some safety features in cars that automatically put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode when driving. Also, cars also offer software that helps read aloud text messages and obey voice commands; these can be very helpful to reduce distractions.