If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed over the past decade, it’s that car accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in the country. That doesn’t mean that new car safety technologies aren’t making a difference. In fact, car upgrades and technology such as Tesla’s Autopilot have saved countless lives already. With these advancements in technology being implemented in consumer-grade cars, you’d think that the road would be much safer by now, so why isn’t it?
The simple answer is that there is a variance in the types of cars motorists drive. Even when most modern cars come equipped with an array of safety features, we have to consider the fact that not everyone is able or willing to buy these models. This is especially true considering the economic downturn we currently find ourselves in. As it stands, the matter of safety cannot be overlooked. Here are some car upgrades that can help make your car significantly safer.
Reverse Camera
It’s surprising that reverse cameras are not a standard feature in modern basic cars and are only included in higher trims. Fortunately, there are always aftermarket alternatives that are significantly less expensive and they work just as well as those made by OEMs. Reverse cameras grant drivers a better rear view of the vehicle, which helps minimize the risk of driving into an object you couldn’t see from your seat.
Top-Quality Tires
Never cheap out on your car’s tires. They are the only parts of your car that should be making contact with the road, and they are responsible for your car’s handling and traction. Cheap tires are more likely to blow out and lose traction on wet roads or high speeds. High quality tires are a surefire way to improve your car’s safety.
Blind-Spot Alert System
Blindspots are some of the most common causes of car accidents. A blind spot alert system is a feature that is not found in basic trims of modern cars even when it is a feature that could significantly improve your vehicle’s safety. Blindspot alert systems assist drivers by monitoring the areas which are hidden from the driver’s view and by alerting the driver of imminent danger. A prime example of a scenario in which a blind-spot alert system is going to help is when a car is merging onto a busy road. Much like the reverse camera, aftermarket blind-spot systems are also available.
Nudge bar
In contrast to bullbars, nudge bars cover only the front-most end of your vehicle. Bullbars are dangerous because while they may provide additional protection for your car, they can be devastating to other cars, structures, and buildings. Since bullbars cover the entire front end of your vehicle, even a glancing collision is made worse. Depending on the state you live in, bullbars may even be deemed illegal, which may hurt your case significantly, as it would be considered negligent behavior.
Bullbars are also bad for you and your passengers because they negate the crumple zones that were intentionally placed in your car to mitigate the force that is transferred to passengers during a collision. Nudge bars provide front-end protection without negating the crumple zones of your vehicle and they do not add width unnecessarily. Nudge bars also help protect your vehicle’s engine.
Sway bar
A sway bar is a suspension upgrade that helps reduce the car’s body roll when circumventing sharp corners. These anti-roll bars help stabilize the car by increasing the rigidity of the suspension, thus forcing both sides of the vehicle to rise or lower at roughly similar height.
This effectively keeps both sides of the vehicle level during a sharp turn, which significantly reduces the risk of rolling your car. Most modern cars already have sway bars pre-installed in them, but they are also available in the aftermarket if your car doesn’t already have one.
Better Shock Absorbers and Struts
These parts are what help keep your car stable as you drive. They minimize the bouncing, shaking, and swaying of your car during turning and braking. High performance models not only improve the way your car handles, but it also improves ride comfort,which indirectly also affects safety on long trips. A comfortable ride will allow you to focus better on the road.
Vehicle safety is as much a matter of preventing collisions as they are a matter of mitigating the damage caused by an accident. While preventive and mitigating measures undoubtedly are important, it’s just as important to understand the legal do’s and don’ts in a car accident. If you ever find yourself in a car accident, you should always hire a car accident lawyer like the ones from gtakg.com to help you attain a favorable result.
