Warren Collision Shop Gives Tips for Choosing a Safe Vehicle

When you are shopping for a vehicle, not only does it need to be visually appealing and cost effective, it needs to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.  The good news is that auto engineers have been enhancing safety features over the years. In fact, studies indicate that although the amount of drivers has increased significantly in the last 60 years, the number of fatal accidents has actually decreased. Here are some things to consider when choosing the safest car options.

Check for Recalls

Although major recalls will make headlines, many vehicle recalls will occur without you knowing and they happen more often than you think. It’s best to be proactive as a consumer and check for any recalls and whether or not they have been taken care of. Visit  nhtsa.gov/recalls  and enter the VIN number to check for any recalls or safety issues.

Size and Weight

According to the law of physics, if two cars of unequal mass are involved in a head on collision, the more massive vehicle will have the advantage as it will drive the passenger compartment of the lighter or smaller vehicle backward. The passenger of the lighter vehicle will feel more acceleration and force in the collision. So although smaller or lighter cars boast many new safety features today, they still can’t provide as much protection as a larger and heavier vehicle.

Crashworthiness

There are several factors that determine how well a vehicle can protect it’s passengers in the event of an accident. Here are just a few things that contribute to a car’s crashworthiness rating.

Structural Design

Safer models will be designed to let the vehicle take more of the impact during a crash instead of the occupant.  Crumple zones or crush zones will act as a buffer by extending the time of the impact and therefore decreasing the amount of force a driver feels during a collision.

Air Bags and Belt Systems

Both air bags and seat belts are meant to prevent occupants from colliding with the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield.

Air bags have come along way since Chrysler made them standard on 1988–1989 models. Modern vehicles will include side air bags and advanced sensors for safer deployment.

Advanced seat belt technology will work together with air bags to keep the passenger in the right position and prevent injury from the belt.

Braking Systems

There are several types of braking systems that help prevent accidents.  Some newer systems include automatic emergency braking, dynamic brake support and crash imminent braking.

All 3 braking systems will detect and alert the driver of a potential crash and then automatically apply the brakes to avoid crashing into an object.

If you want to learn more about the crashworthiness of a specific vehicle, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is regularly testing vehicles and provides an online rating tool.

Electronic Safety Features

Another advantage of choosing a modern vehicle is that newer models will include electronic safety features such as back up cameras, Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, blind spot alerts and more.

Learn more about these features:

Collision Shop Near Fraser, MI Explains 6 Ways Technology is Preventing Auto Accidents

Contact Warren Collision Shop, Pole Position Auto Body

Despite the advanced safety features and the decrease in fatal collisions over the last several decades, unfortunately car accidents still happen. So choose a vehicle that will best protect you and your family if you are involved in a crash.

If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident and you are looking for a Warren collision shop, schedule an appointment with the professionals at Pole Position Auto Body. Our state of the art equipment and trained technicians will make sure your vehicle is returned to you in pristine condition – inside and out.

Pole Position Auto Body: 586-775-4825
We will Provide MASSIVE Customer Service!