When shopping for a new or used car, one of the smartest decisions you can make is reviewing its safety features. From essential protections like airbags to advanced driver assistance technologies, modern vehicles are packed with innovations designed to keep you safe on the road.
While no vehicle can fully prevent an accident, knowing the top safety features to look for can help reduce the risk of injury and may even save your life.
Many Safety Features Are Now Standard in Today’s Vehicles
Fortunately, many of today’s most important safety features come standard, even on more affordable models. Whether you’re buying new or used, here are the key features that provide critical protection on the road.
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1. Airbags
Airbags remain one of the most effective tools for saving lives during crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal airbags alone have saved over 50,000 lives from 1987 to 2017. When combined with seat belts, airbags cushion passengers from striking the dashboard, steering wheel, or windows during a collision.
2. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
ABS prevents your car’s wheels from locking up during sudden braking, helping you maintain steering control. Many modern ABS setups also include brake assist, which detects emergency braking situations and applies maximum braking force to help you stop more quickly.
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3. Traction Control & All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Traction control prevents wheel spin when accelerating on slippery surfaces by adjusting engine power or applying the brakes. Paired with AWD, which distributes power to all four wheels for increased grip, these features provide better handling in rain, snow, or off-road conditions.
4. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC helps keep your vehicle on its intended path during sharp turns or evasive maneuvers by applying brakes to individual wheels automatically. This can reduce the risk of skidding, rollovers, and collisions from loss of control.
5. Blind-Spot Warning Systems
Standard on many newer vehicles, blind-spot warning systems use cameras or sensors to alert you if another vehicle is lurking in an adjacent lane. This reduces the chances of side–swipe accidents, especially on highways.
6. Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Forward collision warning systems use cameras, lasers, or radar to detect obstacles ahead. If a crash seems likely, the system will alert you, and in some cases, AEB will apply the brakes for you. These features can significantly reduce rear-end collisions.
New for 2025: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Car safety has evolved dramatically in recent years. While older features remain important, newer cars are increasingly equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that go beyond passive protection to help prevent accidents entirely.
In 2025, the two most sought-after safety features are:
- Intersection Collision Avoidance: This relatively new feature can help prevent accidents at intersections by detecting cross-traffic and automatically braking if necessary. This technology is especially useful in busy urban areas where intersection crashes are common.
- Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS): As distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes, driver monitoring systems use cameras or sensors to track your attention. If the system detects that you’re drowsy or not paying attention, it issues alerts to bring your focus back to the road.
Practice Safe Driving, Even with the Best Technology
While these features provide significant protection, they are not a replacement for safe driving habits. Staying focused, following traffic laws, and practicing defensive driving are still essential to preventing accidents.
Injured in a Crash? We’re Here to Help.
No matter how many advanced features your vehicle has, accidents can happen, and serious injuries can leave you with mounting medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, Morris Bart Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and nothing at all unless we win your case!
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