Did you know that 13.75 million cars and light trucks were sold in the United States last year?
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges in the automotive sector. The World Health Organization says COVID-19 is no longer a worldwide emergency. That doesn’t mean, however, that the lingering effects of lockdowns aren’t still being felt.
During the height of the pandemic, lockdowns meant that facilities manufacturing microchips shut down. That led to a chip shortage impacting the automotive industry — and increased prices for new and used cars.
Are you in the market for a new or used car? If so, buy one with some of the best safety technology. One source says there are nearly 6 million car accidents nationwide each year, and about one in five are related to the weather. While in-car technology can’t prevent all accidents related to the weather or driver error, the right tech can’t hurt.
Continue reading to learn about five safety features to look for in a used or new car.
- Forward Collision Warning
Forward collision warning features rely on sensors to detect anything in the path of your vehicle. Depending on the type your car has, it can figure out when the vehicle ahead of you on the road slows down or stops. Some automakers have forward collision warning technology that can detect not only cars but also cyclists, people, and animals. If the forward collision warning system detects an obstacle, you’ll get a warning. The warning will give you time to react.
- Lane-Departure Warning
Have you ever been behind the wheel and had to suddenly recenter after realizing you were drifting into another lane? That can be a harrowing experience for you and the driver into whose lane you drift. But a lane-departure warning system can help to prevent that from happening. The technology can help if you’re feeling drowsy or are distracted. If you’re veering into another lane, the system will notify you by chime or vibrating the steering wheel.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring
A blind-spot monitoring system will keep you and others safer on the road. While some vehicles are better than others when it comes to blind-spots, the reality is that all cars, trucks, and other vehicles have blind-spots. A blind-spot monitoring system will monitor the sides of your vehicle that you can’t see when peering into the side-view mirrors. While you should still look over your shoulders when changing lanes, a blind-spot monitoring system can still be helpful.
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
Whether you’re parking in your driveway, at the mall, or someplace else, you’ll want to avoid hitting anyone or anything. Front and rear parking sensors are incorporated into the front and rear bumpers of your car so that your vehicle can detect objects. If you’re, for example, backing into a parking space, the system will notify you should you be getting too close to something.
- Forward Automatic Emergency Braking
A forward automatic emergency braking system will identify possible collision situations ahead of you. You’ll get a warning and the braking system will automatically engage to prevent a collision or reduce the seriousness of the impact. It’s also possible to get automatic emergency braking combined with pedestrian detection. The last thing you want is a situation where you get into an accident with a pedestrian, cyclist, or anyone else out on the roadway.
Whether you’re buying a used or new car, you’ll want to get as much as you can for your money. Safety technology can make a big difference and give you confidence when you’re driving. Unfortunately, accidents on the road aren’t uncommon, even with safer vehicles. Millions of people get into car accidents every year — so you’ll want to take precautions. A vehicle with safety features like the ones mentioned above will help your cause.
If you’re ever involved in a vehicle mishap, you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer. You’ll get help navigating the process and obtaining any help you need to recover and move forward.
