A major, and often overlooked, point when considering a vehicle is its safety rating. How well would your new vehicle stand up in a collision? Will you be able to walk away unharmed, or will they have to tape off the scene of another statistic? Most vehicles manufactured today come equipped with an array of safety equipment built in as standard equipment. This is due mainly to the strict safety guidelines set by the government. Automotive manufacturers must make their vehicles pass standards in several categories, such as full front impact, partial front impact, and side impact. Many pieces of safety equipment have been proven to save lives in these types of collisions, such as airbags, seatbelts, and crumple-zone construction. While these are all great life-saving devices in an unavoidable accident, it is still best to simply avoid the accident. This can be done with the assistance of other safety equipment, as well as safe driving techniques. One safety component that helps prevent accidents is the use of Antilock Braking Systems, or A.B.S. Antilock brakes keep the wheels of the car from locking up in extreme braking circumstances, such as attempting to avoid a collision. By keeping the wheels from locking up, the tires maintain traction with the road, and allow the driver to steer in a safe direction, while decreasing the stopping distance. The most important factor in reducing your risks of an accident is to avoid distractions while driving. Common distractions for drivers include cell phones, the radio, eating, and other passengers. Drivers should concentrate fully while driving, to make driving a safe and enjoyable experience.
Another option to consider when purchasing a vehicle is its performance. Whether or not the vehicle will perform properly is dependant on its intended purpose. If a vehicle is intended to be used to haul heavy loads, it is important to buy a vehicle that has a high horsepower and torque rating, as well as a sturdy suspension system.
