If you're in the market to buy a new car, you'll be pleased to know that safety has become a top priority amongst automobile manufacturers. Brought upon by government recommended and mandated regulations, knowledgeable consumers and advertising marketing efforts, most cars come equipped with a multitude of safety features.

Some features have been shown to be more effective than others. Enhanced visibility, forward collision prevention, rear and pedestrian alerts, adaptive headlights, and brakes and airbags are among the recommended safety features.

Enhanced visibility

Several of today’s safety features enhance and expand on a driver’s field of visibility. Many cars come equipped with a rearview camera, giving you a better view of what’s behind you when backing up. It does not replace your side mirrors, rearview mirror or the turning of your head to glance around. Instead, it gives you the ability to see more area.

In addition to a rearview camera, several cars have blind-spot warning monitors that alert you if something is on the side of your car and you have your blinker on. This helps considerably when changing lanes, helping you avoid other cars you may not see.

Forward collision prevention

Many cars offer a forward collision prevention system. Often referred to as forward collision mitigation or an automatic emergency brake, the system senses when you have an object or car in front of you.

If the system thinks you may hit it, an alert will sound to warn you. If you do not respond quickly enough, the system will automatically apply your brakes. Depending on the car and circumstances, it will brake at a rate that will attempt to miss the collision completely or at the very least lessen the impact.

Rear and pedestrian alerts

Rear and pedestrian alerts sound when something is crossing behind your car or is near the sides of it. They are meant to warn you so you do not back up blindly into a person or object. This could include an abandoned shopping cart or a person pushing a stroller.

No matter what it is, you should heed to the warning and take extra precaution when you hear it. Often, the alerts work in conjunction with a rearview camera, but many cars are equipped with just the alerts.

Adaptive headlights

Adaptive headlights have the ability to change with your driving conditions. For example, the lights will turn towards the direction you are steering. If you are going up a hill, adaptive lights will stick with the roadway instead of shining upwards.

Many dim on their own from high to low beams when there is an oncoming car and then switch back automatically. This safety feature is becoming more common on new cars as standard equipment.

Considerations for used car

Even if you are in the market for a used car, you can still take steps to ensure it as safe as possible. When you are inspecting the car, make sure all the seat belts, horn and mirrors are working. The brakes should be equipped with fairly new pads.

If the car has airbags, try and have them inspected. Have a

mechanic

do a thorough inspection to make sure you do not run into unexpected mishaps while on the road.

Whether shopping for a

new or used car

, there are things you can look for when you aim to buy a safe car. Often, a new car may include a rearview camera, alerts and warnings systems as well as safety-enhanced equipment. However, a used car can have a lot of safety features too. Use of seat belts is still the top safety practice preventing fatal injuries and deaths.

Taking the time to shop for and buy a safe car should be rewarded. Car insurance companies often give

discounts

for cars equipped with certain safety features.

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