Safety is one of the most important things about a car. We want to know what features it has to help us avoid dangerous incidents and how resilient it’ll be in the event of a crash so we can have peace of mind while we’re driving. While it wasn’t long ago that anti-lock brakes and airbags were the gold standard in vehicle safety, technology in this sector has evolved so rapidly that those features are comparatively prehistoric. Today, you can find intelligent, preventative and cutting-edge car safety features in almost any newer model.
If you’re buying a new car, here are the must-have safety features to look for so ensure you – and passengers, and pedestrians – are always safe and sound while you’re driving.
Essential new car safety features to look for when you’re buying
360-degree vision
Drivers can have greater visibility of everything around them than ever before with this must-have safety feature of 2021: 360-degree vision. With sensors and cameras placed strategically around the car, this feature stitches together image feeds from multiple cameras, eliminating blind spots and making parking a lot easier.
Intersection-scanning AEB
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) became an essential safety feature in the late 2000s, helping drivers stay protected by intervening to brake automatically if the driver doesn’t slow down in time to avoid something in its path. Now, a new version of this technology with even more innovative capabilities is available. This version, also known as an ‘intersection collision warning system’, uses radars to detect approaching vehicles from the sides at intersections. If there’s a vehicle approaching, it acts as a warning system to alert the driver and activate the brakes to prevent a collision.
Adaptive cruise control
Cruise control is a car safety feature favourite, especially among people who spend a lot of time on highways or travel long distances regularly. Adaptive cruise control uses sensors and radars to adjust your speed automatically, meaning you no longer have to adjust the speed settings to deal with traffic.
Centre airbags
Almost every car on the road has front and side airbags, usually housed in the steering wheel and dash of the car to cushion the impact of a crash. However, crash analysis and research has shown that they leave gaps in which occupants can sustain injuries in non-front-on crashes, particularly in rollover or side impact crashes. According to ANCAP, centre airbags close one of these gaps, cushioning the area between the heads of the two front-seat occupants, minimising neck and spinal twisting injuries.
Facial recognition
This technology isn’t just for keeping your phone safe and private anymore. With distracted driving one of the most dangerous and prevalent safety threats on the roads today, facial recognition technology is being used to counteract it. This feature keeps an eye on the driver’s face and registers when they take their eyes off the road to look at their phone (or something else). When it detects distracted driving, it alerts the driver to get their attention and can even slow or stop the car until the behaviour is corrected.
In-vehicle facial recognition has the potential to prevent thousands of crashes every year in Australia. If that’s not motivation enough, it could also save you a big fine – people caught using their mobile phones while driving are liable for a $1000 fine and five (FIVE!!) demerit points.
If you have questions about the safety of your car, we are happy to help. We’ll make sure your car’s safety features are up to scratch or provide advice on how to find a new (or used) car with the safety features you want. Get in touch with us on Facebook, on our website or simply drop into your local Express Lube Auto Servicing Centre.
