10 Must-Have Car Safety Features

Driving a car comes with responsibilities and safety should always be your top priority. Modern cars come equipped with cutting-edge safety features that are designed to protect you and your passengers on the road. Whether buying a new car or upgrading your current one, knowing these essential safety features can make all the difference.

List of Car Safety Features

Let's explore the 10 must-have car safety features that every driver should look for: 

1.Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

When you apply sudden brakes, ABS prevents your wheels from locking up, allowing you to maintain steering control.

How ABS Works: 

• When you apply brakes suddenly, the ABS rapidly pulses the brakes.
• This prevents the wheels from locking up, avoiding skidding in wet or slippery conditions.
• It allows you to maintain control and steer even during emergency braking.

2.Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) prevents skidding and loss of control by applying brakes to individual wheels automatically when necessary.

How ESC Works: 

• Sensors detect if the car is losing control.
• The system selectively brakes certain wheels to maintain stability.
• It helps the car stay on its intended path, preventing rollovers.

3. Airbags

Airbags provide a cushion in case of an impact, reducing the risk of severe injuries. Modern cars have multiple airbags, including front, side and curtain, enhancing overall safety.

Types of Airbags: 

• Front Airbags: Deploy during frontal crashes.
• Side Airbags: Protect passengers from side impacts.
• Curtain Airbags: Cover the windows and provide head protection.
• Knee Airbags: Reduce leg injuries in high-impact collisions.

4. Seat Belt Reminder System

Wearing a seat belt is the most basic yet effective safety measure. The seat belt reminder system alerts drivers and passengers to buckle up before starting their journey.

Why Seat Belts Matter:

• Reduces the chance of severe injuries in crashes.
• Prevents passengers from being thrown forward.
• Works alongside airbags to enhance safety.

5.Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Maintaining correct tyre pressure improves fuel efficiency and reduces the risk of blowouts.

Benefits of TPMS: 

• Prevents tyre blowouts due to underinflation.
• Improves fuel efficiency.
• Enhances overall driving stability and grip.

6.Rear-View Camera and Parking Sensors

These features assist in reversing and parking, reducing blind spots and minimising the risk of collisions with obstacles or pedestrians.

How These Features Help: 

• The rear-view camera provides a clear view of the area behind the vehicle.
• Parking sensors alert you if objects are too close.
• Helps prevent minor accidents while parking.

7.Blind Spot Monitoring System

This system alerts you if your car is in your blind spot, reducing the risk of side collisions when changing lanes

How it Works: 

• Sensors detect vehicles in adjacent lanes.
• A visual or audio warning is triggered when changing lanes.
• Some cars have active interventions to prevent side collisions.

8. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

AEB detects obstacles ahead and applies brakes automatically if the driver fails to react in time, significantly reducing the likelihood of crashes.

Why AEB is Crucial: 

• Reduces the risk of front-end collisions.
• Especially useful in heavy traffic.
• Enhances safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

9. Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist

Lane departure warning alerts drivers in case they unintentionally drift out of their lane. Lane keep assist actively corrects the steering to keep the vehicle centred.

How it Works: 

Sensors monitor lane markings.

If the car drifts, a warning sound or vibration is triggered.

Lane keep assist gently steers the car back into the lane.

10. ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors

For families with young children, ISOFIX anchors ensure that child seats are securely fastened, enhancing safety for young passengers.

Benefits of ISOFIX: 

• Provides a secure anchoring system for child seats.
• Reduces movement during an accident.
• Ensures better child protection compared to regular seat belts.

Why Safety Features Impact Car Insurance

Insurance providers assess the safety of your vehicle when determining premiums. Vehicles that come equipped with advanced safety features may be eligible for lower car insurance costs as they are less likely to be involved in severe accidents.

Additionally, having third-party car insurance is mandatory in India, covering damages caused to others in case of an accident.

How Safety Features Influence Insurance: 

Vehicles with advanced safety tech may get discounts.

Fewer accidents mean lower claims, benefiting policyholders.

Insurers prefer cars with higher safety ratings.

Conclusion

Investing in a car with top safety features is not just about complying with regulations but ensuring the well-being of everyone on the road. Safety features play an important role in determining your car insurance premiums. Vehicles with better safety features often attract lower insurance costs as they reduce the risk of accidents.