We all have our preferences when it comes to shopping for an automobile. Some of us look for features like towing capacity and horsepower. Others prize aesthetics and want their car to resemble a sleek fighter jet. And still others have to consider how many passengers the vehicle can carry and if it will be able stand up to endless weekly trips to malls and soccer games. Whatever features you covet in a vehicle, there is one thing that most of us agree should be non-negotiable – the vehicle should be safe.
What do we mean by “safe” exactly? Safety in this case refers to the auto’s ability to protect its passengers in the event of a crash and the number of safety devices and features it has installed. We depend on our cars. We need them to commute to and from and work and to complete all of our busy daily activities. We also need them to keep us safe. Driving, by nature, is a dangerous activity. We must have cars that help ensure our safety on the roads.
So most of us agree that a vehicle’s safety rating is a top priority. But what should we look for? How do you shop for a safe vehicle? The following are some features to seek out:
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Crashworthiness
This is a measurement of an auto’s ability to hold up during crash. Now, none of us ever wants to get into a collision and put our vehicle’s crashworthiness to the test. But we must prepare for all scenarios, including the chance of being involved in a serious car accident. A vehicle that has a good crashworthy rating is one that reduces the risk of death or injury in a crash.
The automobile industry has a few ways of rating a vehicle’s crashworthiness. One helpful guide is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) annual “Top Safety Picks.” The IIHS rates vehicles based on their performance in high-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and tests of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries when the vehicle is rear-ended.
Here is a partial list of autos that were rated the best for 2010 by the IIHS:
•Large Cars: Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Volvo S80
•Small Cars: Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Nissan Cube
•Midsize Cars: Volvo C30, Dodge Avenger, Audi A3
•Midsize SUVs: Dodge Journey, Volvo XC90, Volvo XC60
For more information, please the IIHS website at: http://www.iihs.org.
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Safety Devices
Safety devices help prevent or reduce the severity of injury during a collision. In some cases, they can even prevent death. There are three important safety features that should be included in a vehicle you are looking to purchase – seatbelts, airbags, and head restraints.
Seatbelts are standard in every vehicle that is manufactured today. The vehicle you are looking to purchase should have lap and shoulder belts. For airbags, try to find a vehicle that has driver, passenger, and side airbags. Side airbags are often overlooked, but they can protect your chest and head in a crash. And lastly, head restraints protect your neck if you are struck from behind. The head restraint should be placed directly behind your head to offer the maximum of protection.
Anti-Lock Brakes
This is also known as ABS. It helps prevents your wheels from locking up when you need to brake suddenly. This allows you to maintain vehicle control and can help you from sliding off the road. Also, ABS can improve vehicle traction on wet surfaces. Anti-Lock Brakes have been demonstrated to reduce accidents and also make them less severe. If you have ever had to slam on the brakes, you can appreciate the effectiveness of anti-lock brakes. This should be a requirement in every car you look at.
Daytime Running Lights
Perhaps of all the safety features listed here, the one most often ignored are daytime running lights. Yet, these lights have been shown to help reduce accidents . It may seem useless to have lights on during the day, but these lights make your vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic. They turn on automatically when you start up your vehicle, and are less intense than your normal lights (to prevent glare).
Safety features should be paramount when you are looking to buy a car. Sure, there are other important things to consider, but above all else, you need to have an auto that can make your daily commute as safe as possible.
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