What safety features to look for when buying a car

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, for the year 2019-20, 12,894 vehicles were involved in accidents, causing 12,317 injuries and 5,436 deaths. And these statistics do not include traffic accidents that go unrecorded or unreported. Lack of safety features in cars add to the severity of the accidents. For the safety of yourself and your family, here are some safety features you must look for when buying your next car. 

1. Airbags

Until the middle of last year, many entry-level and mid-tier cars were delivered without airbags. Luckily with the new Auto Policy, the cabinet has approved the Automotive Industry Development and Export Policy (AIDEP) 2021-2026, which forces auto manufacturers to add airbags to their cars. 

Whenever buying a car, make sure it has at least two airbags in the front. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Airbags reduce fatality by 29% and 32% for the front passengers. 

2. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Whenever a driver anticipates an immediate collision, they brake as hard as possible. Such hard braking can cause tires to lock, and hence the car loses control. ABS saves tires from locking up and allows drivers to steer while applying maximum brakes. Though ABS may not significantly reduce the number of fatalities in car accidents, it can save lives as a pre-collision safety feature. 

3. ISOFIX

This safety feature is a must for all those cars with children inside. These are the anchors mounted into the car’s chassis so that the baby seats stay fixed during collisions. In the case of whiplash, the child stays locked in the position which reduces the chances of severe injuries. 

Note: Always fix the baby seat in the back seat away from the airbags. This can prevent a serious or fatal injury.  

4. Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Tyre pressure can change for a variety of reasons. High tyre pressure can cause tyre bursts which can be fatal. Low tire pressure damages the tire and suspension causing them to wear out quickly. Many advanced vehicles now come with an inbuilt TPMS, which alerts the drivers whenever the tyre pressure is not normal. Unfortunately, this feature is only available in premium cars in Pakistan.

5. Automatic Braking System

It’s a pre-collision assistance system that uses radar to detect traffic ahead. Whenever the ECU senses that the object on the front is close enough to cause an accident, it brakes automatically. Such autonomous response improves the response time towards applying brakes, hence saving lives.

Also, look for autonomous systems like lane departure, parking sensors, self-levelling headlights, etc. All of these beef up your car’s safety level.  

6. Blind Spot Monitoring System

Most accidents happen because the driver doesn’t know what’s in the blind spot. This is especially true when turning because the drivers don’t know what’s in the blind spot. A blind-spot monitor will warn you if there’s an object you can’t see. The blind spot monitoring system alarms drivers when an object comes in the blind spot. This feature is crucial, especially when maneuvering in city traffic.

7. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control

It is common for cars to slip and lose control on sharp turns, corners, and slippery roads. Electronic Stability Control senses each tyre separately, then adjusts throttle and brake response accordingly for each tyre. By altering the brake and power sensitivity, each tire is set to achieve maximum stability on the road. This is complemented by Traction Control which will prevent tyres from spinning off hence providing an extra layer of grip.

8. Rear Defrost

Ever wonder what those red strips in the rear view mirror are for? Well, it’s for removing condensation on the rear windscreen. Current weather conditions can cause the rear view mirror to get foggy. As a result, drivers cannot view the traffic behind them, especially someone tailgating them, resulting in an accident.  

Final Verdict

Even careful drivers end up having accidents, sometimes fatal accidents. What more can they do to stay safe on the road? 

To maximize the safety of drivers and passengers, always buy a car with maximum safety features from the above list. Sadly, many cheap, as well as expensive local cars still don’t comply with basic safety essentials like ABS and airbags. It’s about time local manufacturers understand that safety comes first. 

What’s your opinion on local manufacturers selling cars with minimal safety features? Let us know in the comment section below.