Choosing and buying a new vehicle is difficult at the best of times, least of all when you have a new or growing family to consider. Audio systems and horsepower drop down the list, as safety becomes your #1 priority. New vehicles, safety features, and weird jargon can make it hard to keep up as to what’s available, what it’s for, and what you need.
Without a proper understanding of today’s latest safety features, you’ll be left confused and unsure as to what to look for when seeking out your next family car. If you don’t make the right choices, you could unknowingly be putting your family in harm’s way.
To ensure your next family car is a safe one, we’ve compiled a list of the latest modern must-have safety features. With this list in-hand you’ll be up-to-speed and know which ones you should be asking about when purchasing your next vehicle.
Let’s kick things off with facial recognition software.
1. Facial Recognition Software
New facial recognition software within vehicles is helping to protect tired drivers. The software works by monitoring you as you drive so when you become less focussed or response, the software recognises that you may need a rest. Depending on the vehicle, a warning light may become illuminated, or a continuous ‘dinging’ may occur to remind you to take a break.
2. Rain Sensors
Automatic rain sensors control your wiper blades, so you won’t find yourself hitting the wrong switch and turning on your indicator. While mechanical wipers may seem like more of a luxury, they do play an essential role in your safety.
Taking your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road puts your family in danger. Especially when it’s raining, and conditions are slippery. Rain sensors remove this busywork, sensing when there are water droplets on the windscreen with light-emitting diodes (LED). The use of infrared light signals the wiper motor to activate to a speed suitable for the amount of rain.
3. Rear Cross-Traffic Warning
Do you ever find yourself feeling stressed trying to leave the supermarket car park?
Rear cross-traffic alerts make it easier to spot pedestrians, rogue trolleys, and other vehicles. This safety feature uses ultrasonic waves to help you back out of tight spaces where you may not have a clear line of vision. If a vehicle enters the sensor range, you’ll know about it.
4. Safety Exit Assist
Kids are easily excitable. So when arriving at a destination, whether that be a friend’s birthday party or out for ice cream, there is only one thing on their mind. Looking around for vehicles or cyclists before they scurry from the car is low on their list of priorities and can be very dangerous.
Modern-safety features have introduced safety exit assist in preventing children from opening their doors when vehicles are approaching. Even with electronic safety lock off, the car automatically enables the safety locks and will alert you if a vehicle is approaching. The car then unlocks itself once the coast is clear.
As children are curious by nature, safety exit assist is one feature that screams peace of mind when it comes to seeking out an awesome family wagon.
5. Lane Keep Assist
Do you experience those days when you feel like you’re driving on autopilot? Those days where you get to your destination, but don’t remember physically driving there? You may not even be aware if you were getting too close to the centerline or edge of the road.
Lane-keep assist uses integrated video to track road markings on both sides of the road and detect whether there is a change in the distance between the two. If your vehicle begins to veer off course, you will be warned and prompted to get back on the path. Lane-keep assist can also actively intervene to keep the car in the centre of the lane by electronically amplifying the steering force.
While this is no substitute for staying focused on the road, it will keep you out of harm’s way and ensure you and your family arrive safely at your destination.
6. Hill Descent Control System
Last but certainly not least, hill descent control systems work to safely and effectively slow vehicles on their descent with the use of the vehicle’s cruise control system. Hill descent not only works as a useful safety feature but also helps to prevent the driver from wearing out the brakes.
As with all things, the more bells and whistles you have, the more you’re likely to pay. So if the vehicle of your (safety) dreams is just out of reach, consider taking out a vehicle loan, or if you are over the ditch, try NZCU Baywide. A vehicle loan is a small price to pay in comparison to you and your family’s safety.
Which safety features will you ask for in your next vehicle?
When you’re next looking to purchase a family car, make sure you add these six safety features to your checklist. They’ll help you feel prepared when venturing into car yards and dealerships and far, far safer once you sit behind the wheel.