Today’s guest post is by Amy Patterson. I hope her extremely helpful article will give you some info, tips & help you in your vehicle search. There are so many things that matter! Read on to find out her tips on what to look for.

** If you would like to do a guest post on my blog, please have a look at this post with the information and contact details. :) **

Your family needs to be safe. That’s your first priority when shopping for a new vehicle. You, your spouse, and your kids will spend countless hours driving and riding in whichever auto until you’re able to decide on one. Make your purchase count. Use this guide while shopping to help navigate through the various safety features offered by modern vehicle manufacturers. They’re all important.

Drive safely out there.

Crash Protection

Accidents happen, and your family will be safer if you recognize that fact. Automobiles are big and fast; they carry a lot of force, and accidents can be devastating. Car companies are always on the lookout for ways to decrease the seriousness of crashes. Here’s some of what they’re doing:

• Airbags. An essential item. You may be surprised that, unlike the proverbial mousetrap, the airbag is a basic technology which is getting improved all the time. Side airbags, knee airbags, even inflatable seatbelts have begun appearing in cars over the last few years.
• Seatbelt tech. Speaking of seatbelts, here’s another classic feature which has been getting some surprising upgrades. GM is working on cars which refuse to start if belts aren’t buckled; this could be a great way to make sure your teen drivers aren’t risking their lives daily. Other belts use technical systems to soften the force on your body in a crash.

Crash Avoidance

Your best bet, if you want to stay safe, is to avoid accidents altogether. Luckily, the automotive industry has come up with some innovative and effective ways to help you and your car stay in one piece. Some are classics, while others are cutting-edge.

• Brakes. Anti-locking systems are the trusty gold standard in brakes, but manufacturers have recently come up with some new ideas. Automatic brakes look to be a near-future standard; modern systems, in conjunction with sensors and monitoring systems (more on that in the next section), can actually slam on the brakes for you, narrowing down that split-second reaction time.
• Cameras. The ubiquity of digital video technology makes full-surround vision a reality. Go beyond the rear-view mirror with cameras that can help you see your sides and rear without having to make a dramatic head-turn. You’ll back up easier knowing exactly what (or who) is in your driveway.

Driving Assistance

We’re not completely into the era of self-driving cars yet, but we’re getting closer all the time. Companies have created some astonishing technologies to aid drivers in staying safe on the road. Some of this technology could keep you and your family protected from the dangers of distracted driving, which is a major cause of accidents.

• Traffic monitors. Imagine a car that can warn you of immediate dangers you haven’t noticed yet. This isn’t fiction. With this technology, your car can identify upcoming hazards and even apply your brakes for you.
• Lane sensors. It’s not always the other guy. Everyone’s driving can get a little sloppy sometimes, and this nifty gear warns drivers if they veer off from out of their lane. This is a great tool to keep you aware when your kids distract you in the car.

Amy Patterson is an avid reader on trending topics and a writer in her spare time. On the beautiful coast of North Carolina you will usually find her catching up on the latest news with locals or on the beach with her niece and nephew. She loves to write pieces on health, fitness, and wellness, but often writes about families and safety.