Must-Have Standard Safety Features to Look For in Your Next Car

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Most buyers focus on mileage but neglect safety features, which can prevent minor scares from turning into major accidents
Airbags are of various types (Front, Side, Curtain, Knee) to protect passengers by absorbing crash impact
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts drivers of low tyre pressure, preventing accidents due to tyre bursts

When buying a car, most people only focus on mileage, features and practicality. But what about safety? We Indians tend to neglect safety. Whether you're a daily commuter or a road enthusiast, your car safety features could make a lot of difference. A minor scare could be a major accident with essential safety features. But thankfully, modern cars are equipped with all the essential safety features that one would need. In this article, we'll discuss about a few must-have standard safety features to look for in your next car. Before moving ahead make sure to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp community to never miss out on any automotive updates.

Anti-lock Braking System & Electronic Brake Distribution

Braking is one of the most critical aspects of a vehicle. In an emergency, slamming hard on the brakes can cause the wheels to lock up. This situation usually leads to loss of control, skidding or increasing your vehicle's stopping distance. These safety features help to prevent such incidents. However, the government has made it mandatory for every car to be equipped with ABS and EBD.

ABS:- Anti-Lock braking System prevents wheels from locking up during sudden braking. Instead of one continuous brake force, ABS applies pulsating pressure to keep the wheels moving slightly. This gives better steering control to the driver. It is particularly helpful on wet, icy, or uneven roads on which cars can skid easily.
EBD:- Electronic Brake Distribution ensures that brake force is distributed evenly between the front and rear wheels. This feature helps to reduce the braking distance, preventing over-braking and under-braking.

Electronic Stability Control

Have you ever taken a sharp turn too fast and felt the car lose grip? This is where electronic stability control comes in and can save you. An ESC continuously monitors the wheel movement and direction. It usually detects if your car is losing traction and automatically applies the brakes to individual wheels to stabilise it. The ESC is also a mandatory feature in modern-day cars.

Airbags

Airbags are very common these days; everyone knows about them. Seatbelts are the first line of defence, along with airbags, and serve as an additional protective barrier in a crash. These deploy in milliseconds, absorbing the impact and reducing the force on the passenger. Airbags are now standard in every car rolling out of the showroom. Today, every new car launching comes equipped with 6 airbags as standard, thanks to the government's strict rules requiring the automotive industry to make every car ready with 6 airbags.

Types of Airbags:-

Front Airbags- These are found in almost every modern car, and protect the driver and front passenger in frontal collisions.
Side Airbags- These protect the passenger from side impact or crashes, which usually happen at intersections.
Curtain Airbags- As the name suggests, these extend from the roof to the sides, and usually protect during the incident of rollovers.
Knee Airbags- These airbags are usually positioned below the dashboard, protecting your legs from impact.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

Did you know that low pressure is one of the leading reasons for car accidents? Yes, improperly inflated tyres affect all braking, fuel efficiency, and grip. Also, there is an increasing risk of bursting at high speeds, which can be fatal. The tyre pressure monitoring system constantly monitors the tyre pressure in each tyre. So, if any tyre falls below the safe limit, it triggers a warning in the instrument cluster.

Rear Parking Sensors & Camera

Reversing a car can be very tricky for new drivers or even for some veteran drivers in crowded places. These parking sensors and cameras make reversing easier. Parking sensors detect objects behind the car and emit a beeping sound, increasing the frequency as the object comes closer. On the other hand, a reverse camera provides you with a real-time view of the area behind the car, which is usually displayed on the infotainment screen.

ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors

If you have children, their safety is also a top concern. Seat belts are designed for adults, but ISOFIX (International Standard Organization FIX) anchors ensure child seats are securely attached to the cars frame. ISOFIX uses a dedicated attachment point for a child seat, unlike traditional seatbelts. So, it reduces movement and offers better protection in case of sudden braking or an accident.

Hill Hold Assist

Suppose you're afraid that your car will roll back while climbing the slope. Don't worry, here's a feature for you. The Hill Hold Assist feature prevents your vehicle from rolling back when starting on a slope. It applies the brakes, giving the driver few seconds to transition from the brakes to the accelerator. This feature is a must-have on your list if you're prioritizing safety while buying a new vehicle.

Verdict

Your cars safety features should never be compromised. While powerful engines, stylish exteriors, and fancy infotainment systems are great, nothing is more important than protecting yourself and your loved ones on the road. So, when choosing your next car, make sure it comes with all essential safety features.