Defining Automobile Safety and Standards
Note: This section was added to Chapter One because of the
importance of safety. It also ties in with car insurance and
other areas of the buying process. We consider it to be a
must-read!
Buying a vehicle can be a complicated process, and involves
numerous decisions on budgeting, financing, and choosing the
right make and model with features that suit the needs of
individuals and families. Safety standards are often overlooked
or considered secondary to the price tag and various luxuries.
However, with the millions and millions of motor vehicle accidents
each year, the safety of children and other passengers is
an issue that should be a primary concern when buying a vehicle.
Most consumers would likely list seat belts, air bags, and
respecting speed limits among the list of important aspects
of driving safety. However, the size of the actual vehicle
itself is the predominant factor in determining the outcome
of an accident. The more vehicle a passenger is surrounded
by, the less the chances of injury or fatality. This factor
is reflected in government crash test results, which are readily
available to the public at automobile dealerships, manufacturers,
automobile web sites, and the government. Small cars might
be a little cheaper and easier on gas, but they leave their
occupants with twice the possibility of injury or death in
an accident.
Wearing a seat belt and employing regulatory child restraints
is an absolute must for all drivers and passengers, whether
on the highway or on local streets. Any degree of impact can
cause serious or fatal injury to any passenger. Three-point
over-the-shoulder belts are the best solution for adults and
larger children. A myriad of infant and child seats are available,
and have been designed specifically for children of specific
heights and weights. Child seats should always be anchored,
and buyers should inquire as to whether or not the vehicle
is equipped with child seat anchors. Many seats are also designed
so that the existing car seat belts can be used to anchor
the seat safely and effectively, but used vehicles should
be checked for seat belt recalls, consumer complaints, or
failure to function due to age. Many fire departments, police
departments, and community associations provide free training
and workshops for the proper installation of child seats,
the positioning and use of the seat belts, the selection of
the right seat for a child, and positioning of the appropriate
seat in the vehicle. It is highly recommended that children
travel in the back seat, and a rear-facing seat should never
be installed in the front passenger seat of a vehicle equipped
with a passenger side air bag under any circumstance. Even
a front-facing child seat in the front passenger seat is questionable.
The best advice is to do research and consult the professionals
on all seat belts and child seat issues.
Air bags have long been a controversial subject amongst consumers,
but the bottom line is that they have been statistically proven
to save lives. The number of driver fatalities from frontal
impacts has dropped by almost one-quarter, and is directly
correlated to the implementation of air bags. Approximately
the same percentage is reflected in the reduction of moderate
to severe injury cases and subsequent hospital insurance claims.
Many family-oriented vehicles such as minivans, passenger
vans, and some sedans offer a passenger air bag cut-off capability
to accommodate passengers of smaller stature or children sitting
in the front passenger seat. The sensors become more sophisticated
with each model year, adding to peace of mind for consumers
concerned with air bags going off with undue causality. Even
a low-speed accident is potentially fatal; air bags are simply
a key factor in cushioning the impact and protecting the passengers.
Consumers should look for a vehicle with a driver side air
bag, passenger side air bag, and side impact air bags. Most
manufacturers are offering what is referred to as "depowered"
air bags, meaning that the force with which the air bag inflates
has been decreased slightly to reduce injury caused by the
air bag, without diminishing the protection from the impact
itself. Many vehicles offer a passenger air bag cut-off capacity
if a child or individual of smaller stature must be accommodated.
Many vehicles are equipped with anti-lock brakes, otherwise
known as ABS brakes. Interestingly, ABS brakes have not been
proven statistically to lead to a reduction in the number
crashes or their severity, even though they have proven to
do so in scientific testing. The root of this phenomenon is
likely drivers' inexperience with using this braking system.
Abruptly applying ABS brakes in a sudden or emergency braking
situation sets off a rapid pulsating of the brake pedal, causing
many drivers to panic and take their foot off the pedal slightly
or even completely. Other drivers simply do not know how to
use the ABS brakes to maneuver the vehicle properly. The problem
is that drivers are not provided with adequate education about
emergency braking procedures and braking in adverse weather
conditions, and the nature of ABS brakes adds another dimension
to this. Often, they have never even experienced the pulsating
brake pedal until the moment of the emergency itself, and
then it is too late. There are affordable driving courses
available to teach the public these techniques and others,
and they are often not time-consuming. Short of that, any
individual who will be driving a vehicle with ABS brakes should
take it for a test drive in a vacant parking lot or dead-end
rural road and put it through a few rigorous braking situations
so that they become accustomed to the pulsating and increase
their chances of reacting appropriately in an emergency. ABS
brakes can definitely save lives.
Daytime running lights are also important factors in vehicle
safety. Regardless of the hour, a car with headlights on is
more visible to other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Certain weather and light conditions can camouflage particular
colors, and headlights may draw attention to a vehicle that
might not have been seen otherwise. When driving a car or
truck that has not been equipped with daytime running lights,
it is a good idea to establish the habit of turning the lights
on for the safety of everyone on or around the streets and
highways.
Many vehicles are offered with a manufacturer-installed option
of front fog lights. Front fog lights are designed to pierce
through fog, rain and snow without illuminating these conditions
as an impenetrable white sheet in front of the vehicle. Any
motorist who travels at night or during the early morning
should seriously consider this feature, as it increases the
field of vision significantly. Regardless of whether or not
a car has been equipped with front fog lights, the best line
of defense when driving through adverse weather conditions
is to decrease speed and be patient, or pull off the road
completely in serious situations. The consequences are not
worth taking a chance.
Much public attention has been drawn recently to some Sport
Utility Vehicles and their increased chances of flipping over.
These models tend to be top-heavy and more prone to rolling
over when a driver loses control and overcompensates to correct
the vehicle, or is involved in an accident with another vehicle.
In this respect, the government rollover tests have varied
results from good to poor depending on the manufacturer. Prospective
buyers should review these findings the same way as crash
test results, which are available through dealerships, manufacturers,
web sites, and the government itself. Drivers should familiarize
themselves with the available vehicles through online research,
talking with other SUV owners, and test-driving different
brands before deciding on a particular make and model. After
that, common sense must prevail. Keep speeds down, especially
when cornering and driving through bad weather. Also, become
familiarized with how to use four-wheel drive, as it involves
a different sensation and driving technique than what most
are accustomed to.
Accidents will always happen in neighborhoods, city streets,
and highways no matter what drivers and manufacturers do to
prevent them. That is why they are called accidents. However,
choosing a vehicle that protects its passengers as much as
possible and practicing proper usage of restraints is a wise
decision to make and will protect passengers and children.
That being said, all drivers must take the responsibility
to follow the rules of the road and respect speed limits.
Drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs, even prescriptions
drugs and over-the-counter remedies with warnings of drowsiness
as a side effect, should never be an option before climbing
behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Drive safely and responsibly,
take the time to learn about the features and benefits of
today's vehicles, and don't be afraid to ask questions and
raise concerns before committing to a specific vehicle.
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