Technology to look for when shopping for a vehicle.
It's a scary scenario: You're drowsy or distracted by the radio, and you realize you've drifted into another lane. What do you do? Calmly turn the wheel? Overcorrect? What if you don't notice until it's too late?
Imagine a warning system that sounds an alarm and flashes a light to alert you that you've crossed the line, giving you the precious seconds you need to react.
| What Crash Tests Tell Us |
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"The most important thing members can do is educate themselves about what's available before they get to the car lot," says USAA's Steve Thompson, assistant vice president in charge of USAA's Car Buying Service. Thompson says a good place to start is by looking at crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the 5-Star Safety Ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. USAA's Car Buying Service also recently debuted its "Best Value" vehicle list, and safety ratings play a big part in how the list is derived. Vehicles on the list must have one of the top two safety ratings from the IIHS crash tests, along with solid performance of features compared to the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price and actual ownership costs. In addition, USAA Auto CircleTM offers member reviews for subjective opinions on a wide range of cars and trucks and a convenient, one-stop shop to help find, finance and insure a new or used vehicle. Once you choose a car, you'll get USAA's no-haggle price for members only. |
Thankfully, this high-tech safety feature—known as a lane departure warning system—is a reality. It's one of many newer technologies available today as automakers computerize cars, apply radar innovation and expand the use of standard safety features.
Producing safer cars appears to have made a difference. Though Americans are logging more miles on the road, the number and rate of traffic fatalities dropped in 2010 to the lowest level since 1949, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And since 2005, traffic fatalities have dropped 25 percent.
Making Safety Standard
While newer technology typically appears on higher-end vehicles first, the trickle-down effect occurs over time as their benefits impress consumers and demand rises, says Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar, an automotive solutions provider.
Take air bags, for instance. "They started with the most expensive cars, and now they're in every car," he says. Today's new cars have as many as 10 per vehicle, including side curtains.
"I recommend consumers go with the maximum amount of safety features they can afford," says Toprak. "They could potentially save the lives of you and your family members."
Here are seven of the latest safety features to look for the next time you're shopping for the safest vehicle you can afford.
Lane departure warning systems. These systems are designed to help prevent head-on collisions and other catastrophes. Cameras placed around the vehicle determine its relative position in the lane. If you leave your lane, a light flashes and a high-pitched beep sounds. Some models have a vibrating steering wheel to alert you.
Automatic braking. This system actually brakes the car to prevent or lessen the impact with whatever is in front of you. Toprak predicts the system will be a standard safety feature in five to ten years. "There's actually radar in front of the car, just like on a boat or plane, but a more simplified version," he explains.
Infrared night vision. This feature helps increase the distance you can see beyond headlight range.
Rearview camera. This technology helps detect people or objects behind your vehicle. It's available in some luxury models, but Toprak says a pending regulation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could make it standard on all vehicles by 2014.
| How's Your Recall? |
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Recalls help automakers alert buyers if there's a safety issue with a vehicle. Last year, The New York Times reported that carmakers were voluntarily increasing recalls, erring on the side of caution rather than waiting for consumer complaints and government pressure to initiate such moves. To make sure a vehicle you drive isn't subject to a recall, sign up for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall notifications via email. |
