Free Guide to Vehicle Safety Information

How Vehicle Safety Features Protect You During a Crash

Modern vehicles contain multiple safety systems designed to work together during an accident. Understanding what each system does helps you make informed decisions about the vehicles you drive and how to use safety features correctly. These systems represent decades of research into how people are injured in crashes and what technologies can reduce that harm.

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Airbags are among the most visible safety features in today's vehicles. When a crash occurs, sensors detect the sudden deceleration and trigger an explosive chemical reaction that inflates the airbag in milliseconds. The airbag cushions the impact between your body and the hard surfaces inside the vehicle. Most vehicles have multiple airbags: front airbags for the driver and front passenger, side-impact airbags along the doors to protect your torso, and curtain airbags that extend along the windows to protect your head. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal airbags reduce the risk of death for drivers in frontal crashes by about 29 percent and for front passengers by about 32 percent when combined with seat belts.

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) prevent your wheels from locking up when you brake hard. In an emergency stop without ABS, wheels can stop rotating while the vehicle is still moving, causing skidding and loss of control. ABS uses wheel-speed sensors to detect when a wheel is about to lock. When this happens, the system rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure to that wheel, allowing it to keep rotating. This keeps your tires in contact with the road surface, maintaining your ability to steer while braking. You may feel pulsing in the brake pedal when ABS activates—this is normal and means the system is working.

Electronic stability control (ESC) helps prevent skidding when you're turning or when road conditions are slippery. The system uses sensors to monitor your vehicle's direction and compares it to where you're actually steering. If the vehicle begins to skid or slide, ESC automatically applies brakes to individual wheels and may reduce engine power to bring the vehicle back under control. Research shows that ESC reduces the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes by about 49 percent and reduces injury-crash risk by about 32 percent.

Traction control works with ESC to maintain grip when accelerating. If your wheels begin to spin on wet, icy, or loose surfaces, traction control reduces engine power and applies brakes to the spinning wheels, helping them regain traction. This is especially useful when starting from a stop on slippery surfaces or accelerating on wet roads.

Backup cameras and parking sensors provide information about what's behind your vehicle when reversing. Backup cameras display a video image on your dashboard screen, while parking sensors emit a beeping sound that increases in frequency as you get closer to obstacles. These features help prevent backing accidents, which account for about 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries annually in the United States.

Practical takeaway: Familiarize yourself with the safety features in your vehicle by reading your owner's manual. Learn what warning lights mean, understand how to use features like ABS (don't pump the brake pedal), and know where airbags are located so you can sit at a safe distance from them.

Understanding Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats

Seat belts are the most fundamental safety feature in any vehicle. They keep you in your seat during a crash, preventing ejection from the vehicle and reducing impact with the interior. Seat belts work together with airbags—the belt holds you in position so the airbag can cushion your impact effectively. Data from NHTSA shows that seat belt use reduces the risk of death by about 45 percent for front-seat passengers and reduces the risk of serious injury by about 50 percent.

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Proper seat belt positioning matters significantly for protection. The lap belt should sit low and snug across your hip bones, not across your stomach. The shoulder belt should cross diagonally across your chest and shoulder, never across your neck or under your arm. When positioned correctly, the belt directs crash forces to the strongest parts of your body—your hips and chest—rather than delicate areas like your abdomen or neck. Children and adults should wear seat belts on every trip, no matter how short. About 14 percent of crash deaths could be prevented if all unbelted passengers wore seat belts.

Child safety seats are necessary because adult seat belts are designed for people who are typically at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh at least 80 pounds. Young children lack the skeletal development to safely use adult belts. Child safety seats position children at the proper height so seat belts work correctly once they're old enough to use them, and they provide additional support and protection for younger children's developing bodies.

Rear-facing child seats should be used from birth until a child reaches the highest weight or height limit of the seat, typically around age 2 or 3. In a crash, rear-facing seats cradle the child's head, neck, and spine, distributing crash forces across the entire back of the seat. Forward-facing child seats can be used once a child outgrows the rear-facing seat, typically from age 2 or 3 until age 5 or 6, depending on the child's size and the seat's limits. Booster seats should be used once a child outgrows the forward-facing seat but is too small for an adult seat belt—usually from age 6 to 8, though some children may need them longer depending on their height.

Proper installation is critical for child seat effectiveness. Many child seats are installed incorrectly, reducing their protective capability. The seat should move less than an inch side-to-side or front-to-back when you push on it at the belt path. You can have your installation checked for free at many police departments, fire stations, and children's hospitals. The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program trains technicians nationwide; you can locate one at safercar.gov/therightseat.

All children should ride in the back seat until age 12 or 13, as back seats provide greater protection from side-impact and ejection injuries. If a child must ride in the front seat due to vehicle design, move the seat as far back as possible and ensure the child uses appropriate safety equipment for their age and size.

Practical takeaway: Check your vehicle's seat belt fit regularly and adjust the seat and steering wheel so the belt crosses your chest properly. For children, verify your car seat is installed correctly and review manufacturer guidelines annually as children grow—many parents discover their child has outgrown a seat during a routine safety check.

Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance for Safe Operation

Regular vehicle maintenance directly affects your safety and the safety of others on the road. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to fail during critical moments like emergency braking or swerving to avoid an obstacle. While comprehensive professional inspections should follow your vehicle manufacturer's schedule, you can perform basic checks between service appointments to identify potential problems early.

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Tire condition affects how your vehicle handles, especially in wet or winter conditions. Tires lose tread over time, reducing their ability to grip the road and channel water away from the surface. The penny test offers a simple way to check tread depth: insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tread is too shallow and the tires should be replaced. Most states require a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch; many safety experts recommend replacing tires at 4/32 of an inch, which better maintains traction in wet conditions. Check tire pressure monthly using a pressure gauge, including the spare tire. Underinflated tires wear faster, generate excessive heat, and reduce fuel efficiency. The correct pressure for your vehicle is listed on a label inside the driver's door jamb, not on the tire sidewall. Overinflated tires can wear unevenly and provide a harsher ride.

Brake function is critical to safe driving. If your brake pedal feels soft or goes nearly to the floor, if you hear grinding or squealing sounds when braking, or if your vehicle pulls to one side when braking, have the brake system inspected immediately. Brake fluid should be checked monthly—the reservoir is typically a translucent plastic container under the hood. Fluid should be between the minimum and maximum marks. If you need to add fluid frequently, your system may have a leak. Modern vehicles have brake warning lights that illuminate if brake fluid is low or if the anti-lock brake system detects a problem