When you’re buying a new car, its safety features aren’t usually the attributes you think of first or look most closely at, and yet they are probably the most important part of every vehicle. After all, it’s not nearly as important that you reach your destination quickly or in a high state of comfort, as it is that you get where you’re going safely.

New cars are being manufactured to higher standards of safety all the time, and are far more capable of preventing serious injury than cars made 20 or 30 years ago. However, you shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of his security by this fact alone, and you should make a point of examining and identifying all the safety features built into any car that you use to transport yourself and your family. Here are some of the things you should look for.
Crash protection technology
If you happen to become involved in a crash, one of your best protections against injury is to have a good seatbelt or shoulder harness installed, and to actually have it engaged. Airbags are also crucial in mitigating the effects of a collision, since they absorb much of the tremendous shock during impact. Features that help you avoid crashes altogether include auto emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and a blind spot detection system.

Not to be overlooked are the simple adjustments which can be made to increase driver comfort and safety, such as height adjustment and the proximity adjustment which puts you closer to the steering wheel. For that matter, the steering wheel itself can be adjusted, so that your reach is more comfortable and more precise, and you can control the car better.

Structural technology
Most drivers are aware of at least some of the features listed above, but something not commonly considered is the framework of the vehicle itself. A strong cabin framework can withstand most collisions, and can mitigate the effects of even the most powerful crashes. Crumple zones are areas outside the cabin which function to absorb the impact of any kind of collision, rather than pass it on to interior occupants. Before you go to your dealer and start browsing through the showroom, it might be a good idea to investigate these two aspects of any vehicle you’re interested in.

Educate yourself about safety
As stated in the beginning, safety standards are increasing all the time among vehicle manufacturers, so any vehicle you buy today is certainly safer than what you wrote in as a child. But where the well-being of your entire family is concerned, you should be as informed as possible about the safety features of any vehicle you consider buying. Ideally, you want only the safest transportation for your loved ones, and you should know about all those safety features built into your vehicle, and how they serve to protect you. In addition, as part of your normal car care, you should periodically check on the functionality of safety features to be sure they are still operating smoothly.