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List of All Topics
Motor Vehicle Safety
Also called: Car safety
About every twelve minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from a motor vehicle crash. Trying to prevent these crashes is one part of motor vehicle safety. Here are some things you can do to be safer on the road:
- Avoid distractions
- Don't drive after drinking alcohol or doing drugs
- Don't drive when you are tired
- Don't speed
- Make sure your vehicle is safe and in working order
- Use car seats for children
- Wear your seat belt
SAFETY FEATURES
The safety features are considered some of the most important features a consumer should look for when considering the purchase of a new or used vehicle. Be aware that some manufacturers may use other design features that perform the same function as those described here. Also be aware that manufacturers may use different trade names to describe a particular safety feature.
Safety Belts
Safety belts are among the most important safety features in your vehicle. In the event of a crash, safety belts are designed to keep you inside the vehicle and reduce the risk of you hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. We recommend that new buyers sit in a vehicle, buckle up their safety belts, and check the fit. Check the Available Features chart for each vehicle at www.safercar.gov for the availability of additional safety belt features such as adjustable belts, safety belt pretensioners, energy management features, intergrated safety belt systems, and safety belt extenders. This web site only includes information about Innovative Belt Reminder Systems. Innovative Belt Reminder Systems The purpose of a safety belt reminder is to remind vehicle occupants to wear their safety belts. All vehicles are required to have a 4- to 8-second reminder for the driver. This reminder appears as a dashboard warning light (often designed as a person in a safety belt) that also makes a buzzing or bell-like sound. Some manufacturers have voluntarily installed innovative systems that go beyond the Federal standard and provide additional warnings when occupants are not using safety belts. These systems have visual and/or audio warnings to remind drivers to buckle up; a system to warn passengers is not yet available. In addition, some of these systems also sense how fast the vehicle is traveling, and increases the frequency of the warning. If you do not see your vehicle listed in the charts in this brochure or the field is blank, talk with the dealer or review the owner’s manual to find out if the vehicle has one of these innovative systems.
Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS)
The antilock brake system (ABS) helps prevent a vehicle’s wheels from locking during “panic” braking, which allows the driver to maintain greater steering control as the vehicle is quickly slowed—a key factor in avoiding a collision. However, ABS does not guarantee you will avoid a crash. In fact, you still may lose control when driving at excessive speed or during extreme steering maneuvers. All passenger cars equipped with ABS have four-wheel ABS. SUVs, trucks, and vans equipped with ABS may have either four-wheel or two-wheel ABS. Four-wheel ABS monitors and controls all the wheels of the vehicle, whereas two-wheel ABS only monitors and controls the rear wheels. In vehicles with two-wheel ABS, the front wheels can still lock during hard or panic braking and this lockup can result in the loss of steering control. Only vehicles with four-wheel ABS are indicated in the web site. Some four-wheel ABS systems include Brake Assist, which is only available with ABS systems. During emergency braking, this feature provides more brake power to help the driver achieve full brake-pedal force. Under certain conditions, Brake Assist can potentially reduce overall stopping distance by activating the braking system more quickly. In the safety features charts, a “±” indicates ABS systems with Brake Assist.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC), offered under various trade names, is designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicles during extreme steering maneuvers. It is designed to reduce the occurrence of crashes in which vehicles run off the road or otherwise go out of control. ESC senses when a vehicle is starting to spin out (oversteer) or plow out (understeer). When this occurs, it turns the vehicle to the appropriate heading by automatically applying the brake to one or more of the wheels. However, ESC cannot keep a vehicle on the road if the vehicle’s speed is simply too great for conditions.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses a dashboard warning light to alert the driver when one or more of a vehicle’s tires is significantly underinflated – a leading cause of tire failure. A tire is considered significantly underinflated when its pressure is 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire inflation pressure. Beginning with the 2006 model year, manufacturers will begin phasing TPMS into their new vehicles. By September 1, 2007, all new vehicles will have TPMS.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
This feature turns on the headlights when a vehicle is being driven. Daytime running lights increase the ability of oncoming drivers to see your vehicle. This feature may not include tail lights or other exterior lights, so remember to turn on your headlights at dusk.
Information obtained from National Institute of Health