Car safety plays a crucial role in avoiding vehicle accidents and their consequences. Before you decide to buy a particular vehicle, determine its safety rating by examining safety tests, along with its roll-over rates.
This will help you make an informed decision on the car to buy, protecting you and other passengers from death or injury during a crash or a collision.
Below are essential car safety tips to protect you and your family during a collision or crash.
1. Always wear a seat belt
It is estimated that 14,955 lives were saved in 2017 due to seat belt use. Besides being a legal requirement, wearing a seat belt helps keep car occupants inside in case of a crash, saving them from death or injuries that may arise from being thrown out.
Using the lap and shoulder belt, you spread out the force of collision or crash over a wide area instead of putting stress on one area, avoiding severe injuries.
The shoulder strap also helps keep your upper body and head further from the steering wheel, dashboard, and other car interior parts, saving you from the impact of being hit by another vehicle or a sudden brake hit.
Since wearing a seat belt helps you remain in your seat, it protects your head and spinal cord from significant injuries. Additionally, getting travel and safety equipment for your kids helps protect them from car accident impacts.
2. Learn about your car safety features
Learning about your car’s safety features, their functions, and how you can use them for you and your family’s safety should be your first line of defense.
Look for features like anti-lock brakes, airbags, vehicle over-speed warning devices, and stability control systems, and learn how to use them to enhance your safety.
3. Beware of blind spots
Blind spots are areas to the sides of your vehicle that can’t be seen in your rear and side mirrors, and are a significant cause of many accidents.
While technology has birthed blind-spot monitoring systems to help you know when it’s safe to switch lanes, not all vehicles have this feature.
It’s up to you to know how to check for blind spots and be careful of others’ blind spots to prevent collisions.
Consider looking over your shoulders while keeping your hands on the steering wheel so you don’t sideswipe other vehicles when you change lanes.
Dirt and debris on your car windows can make it hard for you to see, so ensure they’re always clean and clear to avoid accidents.
4. Keep an eye on your tires
Keeping your tires in good condition helps enhance car safety. To maintain your tires, ensure the correct tire pressure as indicated in the owner’s manual and tire rotation for even tread wear.
Check your front-end alignment to ensure proper balancing, and don’t forget the tread depth. Car tires affect braking, steering, handling, ride quality, and overall safety; maintaining them promotes your safety and that of your family.
Endnote
It’s your responsibility to ensure your and others’ safety while on the road. Use these car safety tips to avoid and prevent common car accidents.
