How to choose a safe car
When you're in the market to buy a new or used car, the wide range of makes and models to choose from can confuse the process. Of course, there may be a style or some features that you want to see in the car, but ...
When you're in the market to buy a new or used car, the wide range of makes and models to choose from can confuse the process. Of course, there may be a style or some features that you want to see in a car, but there are also practical issues to consider.
One of the most important points when choosing a car is its safety. This is because even the best drivers get into accidents sometimes, and you need a vehicle that will protect you and your passengers in the event of a collision.
Part 1 of 1: Choosing a Safe Car
Step 1: Review the latest crash test results. Crash test ratings show how well various vehicles survive controlled crashes against crash test dummies and give a good indication of how well certain models will handle real crashes with real passengers.
You can view safety test ratings on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. IIHS tests tend to be more comprehensive, but both agencies are reputable sources of safety information.
Look for good scores on all crash tests of the car models you are interested in, especially when it comes to frontal crashes, which are among the highest percentage of crashes.
Step 2: Make sure there are airbags in addition to seat belts.. While seat belts largely protect those in a vehicle from injury during a crash, airbags also prevent many fatalities and serious injuries.
For maximum safety, look not only at the front airbags, but also at the side airbags in both the front and rear seats. After frontal collisions, side collisions are the most common type of accident. Side collisions are also more likely than any other type to be fatal.
Step 3: Locate the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) function.. ESC is essentially a multi-directional version of an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that significantly reduces skidding on winding roads.
ESC applies braking forces to individual tires, which gives the driver greater agility and is estimated to halve the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash. This feature seems even more important in light of reports indicating that half of the car crash deaths each year are due to single vehicle crashes.
Step 4: Thoroughly Inspect Your Vehicle Before Purchasing. While you can choose a vehicle with high safety ratings and desired safety features, this does not mean that the particular vehicle you are considering buying is in proper working order. Always hire a qualified mechanic, such as from AvtoTachki, conduct a pre-purchase inspection before completing a sale.
Taking the time to find a safe car for your next purchase is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family from harm. Although it takes a bit of time and effort to do the research, the safety ratings are public and easily accessible online. With the addition of a pre-purchase inspection before you make a purchase, you can find peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel of your new car.
