4 Tips for Choosing a Safe Vehicle
Purchasing a new vehicle can be an exciting, but stressful experience for consumers. When choosing a vehicle, most drivers consider the appearance, cost, availability, and safety of it.
So how can you be sure that you’re choosing the safest vehicle possible? Using four simple tips, you can be confident that whichever vehicle you drive off the lot will keep you and your family safe.
Check for Recalls Before Purchasing
As vehicles get smarter, automotive companies are starting to notify vehicle owners via the apps attached to their cars & phone. However, if you don’t regularly use the app or if you’re shopping for vehicles, you may be unaware of the recalls. One great resource is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site. You can visit nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter the VIN to check for any recalls or safety issues.
Consider the Size & Weight of Your New Vehicle
When shopping for a new vehicle, it’s a good idea to consider the size and weight of the vehicle. That’s not because compact vehicles are inherently unsafe. Compact vehicles have plenty of safety features designed to keep drivers safe.
The issue is the size differential between a compact vehicle and a large vehicle. Smaller vehicles feel the impact of the collision more than larger vehicles. Since drivers can’t control the size of other vehicles on the road, purchasing a larger vehicle can potentially keep you and your family safer if a collision were to occur.
Check How the Vehicle Scores in Crashworthiness Reports
Crashworthiness is the capability of a vehicle to shield its occupants in the event of a collision. Government Agencies and Independent companies look at several factors to determine crashworthiness, but three big factors are:
- Structural Design
- Air Bags and Belt Systems
- Braking System
The crashworthiness report will let you know the overall score and break down how each category scores in the report.
Choose a Modern Vehicle over a Vintage one
Not only can vintage vehicles have higher insurance premiums, but they also lack the safety features that modern vehicles have. Some common safety features in modern vehicles include:
- Back-up Cameras
- Electronic Stability Control
- Blind Spot Alerts
- Forward Collision Warning
- Dual-Stage Front Airbags
These features have improved vehicle safety and reduced the number of fatal accidents, despite more drivers than ever being on the road.
Looking for a Body Shop in Macomb County?
If you do find yourself in an accident, Pole Position Auto Body has been serving the Metro Detroit area for over 30 years. We always follow the standard OEM procedures (standards that are put in place to keep you safe) and will restore your vehicle to it’s pre-accident condition in the quickest turnaround time possible – almost 3 days quicker than the average repair facility.
