Car Safety Features: Which Ones Top The List?

Safety features to consider when choosing a vehicle

Car safety features are an important consideration when choosing a vehicle. Over the past few years, the number of vehicle safety features has ballooned. There is a lot more to choose from than airbags and anti-lock braking systems.

Park assist, backup cameras, parking sensors, and other technology are all helping to improve road safety. However, they can also make it more challenging to know what vehicle package to choose when leasing or financing your next car.

While advanced safety systems in cars are often touted as a major safety improvement, the evidence suggests they do make a positive difference. Studies, like one by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, have shown that vehicles equipped with blind-spot monitoring systems experience a 14% lower crash involvement rate compared to their counterparts without the feature.

Are you in the market for a new vehicle? Looking for some aftermarket safety devices to improve your vehicle? Here we will outline the top safety features in vehicles today. Learn about mandatory car safety features and how they can affect your car insurance quote.

Three key takeaways about vehicle safety features:

• Safety features help reduce the risk of crashes, they rarely lower premiums, which are more heavily influenced by the overall vehicle safety rating.
• While car safety features reduce accident risk, they don't replace the importance of checking blind spots and mirrors for a safe driving experience.
• Advanced safety features can sometimes increase premiums because the expensive sensors and electronics they contain make repairs more costly, increasing the cost claims.

Top 12 new safety features when buying a vehicle

New vehicles have many safety features that can help prevent common accidents and make roads safer for all. Here are the top twelve vehicle safety features.

1. Blind spot detection: Blind spots are hidden from the view of the driver. They are usually located on the side near the trunk of the vehicle. They vary based on the vehicle. Blind spot detection systems will trigger when you are changing lanes or if someone is driving in your blind spot. But, remember this is not a replacement for checking your mirrors.
2. Lane assist: Lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning is a group of sensors that will detect the lines on the road. If the vehicle edges along the line the sensor will beep to notify the driver.
3. Adaptive headlights: Traditional headlights are fixed, pointing straight ahead. Some vehicles have self-levelling, but standard headlights remain static. Adaptive headlights, however, swivel with the steering wheel, illuminating the area to the right or left during turns for enhanced visibility.
4. Adaptive cruise control: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), once a luxury feature, is now common in many vehicles. ACC uses sensors to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. It automatically applies brakes and warns the driver if they get too close. Drivers can set a speed limit, but ACC will adjust the speed to maintain a safe distance in traffic or other conditions.
5. Forward collision warning: Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is a series of signals on the four sides of the vehicle to create a safe distance. If there is an obstruction or space is penetrated, the system will alert the driver.
6. Autonomous emergency braking: This can replace FCW and will stop the vehicle without the driver’s intervention. It will be more precise when determining emergencies.
7. Backup cameras: Also called reverse cameras. They assist drivers when reversing. They show a visual behind the vehicle and have lines on the in-car video to aid with parking.
8. Pedestrian detection: This aims to protect those outside the vehicle. This feature has a camera that monitors movement by pedestrians and cyclists and will alert the driver. Some have the option to automatically brake. This can be especially helpful if you are driving in the city and want to lower your Toronto car insurance.
9. Rear cross traffic alert: This uses sensors to identify pedestrians or vehicles that approach the vehicle from the sides or back. This feature is useful in crowded parking lots and busy streets.
10. Parking sensors: Also called proximity sensors, they aid drivers when maneuvering into a parking spot. The sensors can detect other parked cars, tall curbs and other obstructions.
11. Driver-attention monitor: This helps to prevent accidents caused by drowsy driving and distracted driving. The system monitors the car movements and steering to see if the driver is driving attentively.
12. Traffic-sign recognition: This is a camera-based system that looks for road signs and presents the data to the driver as a reminder.

Can you add safety features to your car?

There are some aftermarket safety features you can add to your vehicle. Some can be done at home while others will need to be installed by a professional. Keep in mind you may need additional coverage to repair or replace these features if there is an accident. Here are four safety features to consider adding to your car:

1. Forward collision warning/lane departure warning systems: For around $1,000, you can add forward-collision warning to your car. This system will send an alert when a collision is up to 2.7 seconds away. Another option is to add a dash cam to record the space around you when driving.
2. Backup camera: Whether you are driving a large SUV or a sports car, a backup camera can show what is behind you and a wide-angle view. Adding a backup camera can add up to $300 to your invoice.
3. Blind spot detection: Blind spot systems use sensors to monitor the space around the vehicle and flash an icon to the driver if there is an obstruction within 10 feet of the vehicle.
4. Tire pressure monitoring systems: This safety system will send an alert if there is a deflated tire, which can cause overheating, blow out, and even crashes.

Add safety features to your vehicle to save on insurance

Insurance is mandatory in Ontario - while you're shopping for the latest in vehicle safety features, make sure your policy is up to date. Browse your options with our brokers today.

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