Car Safety Features

Nowadays cars are equipped with all sorts of devices and features designed to optimise your safety when driving and lessen the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. But, when it comes to minimising the risk of an accident – and getting maximum benefit from your vehicle’s safety features – it’s up to you, the driver.

“The onus is on you to ensure that you drive responsibly and cautiously at all times to minimise your risk of being involved in an accident. For instance, it is up to you to drive slowly in the rain and be aware of a puddle to avoid aqua-planing. Even the most sophisticated vehicle safety features cannot do this for you.

“It’s also up to you to ensure that your car’s safety features are used properly to offer maximum benefit and protection,” says Dial Direct Insurance’s spokesperson Bradley Du Chenne

He says that car-owners need to familiarise themselves with their vehicle’s safety features and use them properly.

“It is important for vehicle-owners to use their vehicle’s safety features properly and optimally so that they get the full safety benefit. Safety devices that are broken or not working should be repaired or replaced immediately,” adds Du Chenne.

Key vehicle safety features include:

Indicators - Indicators should always be used in advance of turning corners and changing lanes so that other motorists are aware of your intentions. There are thousands of vehicles on South African roads which do not have properly-functioning indicators, and this seriously compromises the safety of other motorists.

Lights – Brake lights and headlights are very important safety features. They not only ensure that other motorists can see where you are in the dark, but lights such as indicators and reverse lights serve to indicate your intentions to other road-users. All your lights should be in good working order – and used at the appropriate times.

Mirrors – Your side and rear-view mirrors offer you a wide view of the road, which is essential for avoiding other vehicles and obstacles in your path. You must ensure that they are not only aligned and adjusted to offer you full visibility, but also that you use them, and check your blind spots.

Seatbelts – Seatbelts are undoubtedly the most important safety feature in your car. They are designed to grip you back and prevent you from hitting the dashboard or windscreen during sudden and forceful stops. They are also designed to keep you in your car in a crash. You and your passengers should wear seatbelts on every car trip.

Handbrake – The handbrake is another safety feature that is often neglected. Your handbrake not only prevents your car from rolling into other cars or down steep declines, but prevents wear and tear on the foot brake and clutch. At an intersection, pull up the handbrake, put the car into neutral and take a few moments to relax.

Airbags – Airbags act as a buffer between you and your car’s dashboard, steering wheel and windscreen in the event of a collision, protecting you from serious head and chest injuries. Although airbags provide life-saving benefits, there are situations in which airbag deployment can have adverse effects, such as when seat belts are not used, as the two are designed to work in tandem. Children can be badly hurt and even killed by an airbag, so it is better for children under the age of 12 to travel in the backseat. Do not use rear-facing child car-chairs in the front seat if the car is equipped with a front passenger airbag, unless the airbag is switched off. Read through your car’s instruction manual so that you use the airbags correctly.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) – ABS brakes shorten braking time and distance, and prevent the brakes from locking so that you maintain control of the steering in “sudden stop” situations. However, ABS does not guarantee that you will avoid an accident. Furthermore, you still may lose control when driving at excessive speeds or when using extreme steering manoeuvres. It is a good idea to learn how to use your ABS correctly to provide you with the greatest benefit from the system

Other than these, there are some advanced safety features such as dynamic steering response (DSR), lane departure warning systems (LDWS), directional headlights, inboard brakes, traction control, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which are installed in numerous makes and models of vehicles nowadays

“Your car’s safety features are there to enhance your safety. But, remember that you are only as safe as you drive. So, use your vehicle’s safety features optimally, stay alert and drive with utmost care at all times,” concludes Du Chenne.