When it comes to picking out a ride, there's a lot to consider. Do you go for style or substance? Fuel efficiency or horsepower? But one thing you should never skimp on is safety. We all know the importance of wearing a seatbelt, but modern cars come with all sorts of safety features that can help prevent accidents and keep everyone in the car safe.
Here are some car safety features worth knowing.
Airbags
Airbags are designed to protect you and your passengers in the event of a collision. They work by rapidly deploying and cushioning the impact of your body against the interior of the car. Most modern cars have airbags for the driver, passenger, and side-impact collisions.
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Braking System is a safety feature that helps prevent the wheels from locking up and losing traction when you brake suddenly. This system uses sensors to monitor the speed of each wheel and adjusts the brake pressure to prevent skidding. ABS is especially useful when driving on wet or icy roads.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control is a feature that helps prevent your car from skidding or losing control on slippery roads or during sudden maneuvers. The system uses sensors to detect if your car is veering off course and applies the brakes to individual wheels to correct the direction and keep the car stable.
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Blind Spot Monitoring is a feature that uses sensors to monitor the areas around your car that are not visible to you, such as the blind spots on either side of your vehicle. When a vehicle enters your blind spot, BSM alerts you with a warning light or sound, reducing the risk of a collision when changing lanes or turning.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Departure Warning is a feature that alerts you when your car is drifting out of its lane. The system uses sensors to monitor the lane markings on the road and sends an alert to the driver if the car starts to veer off course. This is especially useful for long road trips when fatigue can set in and cause drivers to lose focus.
Adaptive Headlights
Adaptive Headlights are a safety feature that adjusts the direction of your headlights based on your speed and steering. The system uses sensors to detect your speed, direction, and the ambient lighting conditions and adjusts the angle of your headlights to provide better visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Forward Collision Warning is a safety feature that alerts you when you're approaching another vehicle too quickly. The system uses sensors to detect the distance and speed of the vehicle ahead of you and sends an alert to the driver if the car is getting too close. FCW can help prevent rear-end collisions and reduce the severity of accidents.
