Car Safety

When automobiles first came out, the only car safety feature they had was a brake. No safety glass, no seat belts, no air bags. Driving back then was a sure-fire hazard that could get you killed. Thankfully, those times are over.

Car safety has improved dramatically over the years. Since the invention of the automobile, safety has been an issue. It is no joke, that the early originators of the car industry would be stunned at all the features now available on our automobiles. The gas-powered engine has altered our society into one of greater mobility. We can now travel to destinations that would have taken months to get to only a century ago. Much of that change is due to car safety measures.

New technologies have made automobiles faster, and with increased speed, comes increased accidents. Because of lawsuits and just bad press, automobile manufacturers became more concerned with improving car safety and preventing injuries and deaths. Because of this concern, car safety has been greatly improved, saving countless lives.

However, vehicle accidents continue to happen, often with devastating results. Car safety devices such as seat belts are commonplace today, but they are not always used. In fact, it wasn''t until the legislative bodies in many states addressed this issue of car safety and made seat belt use a law that their use became more the rule than the exception. Drivers in these states must buckle up, or they will be fined. In an effort to improve car safety, and to lessen the amount of tickets handed out, some vehicle manufacturers designed seat belts that would automatically secure the passenger.

Car safety should be everyone''s concern. Not every accident can be prevented, but we can make wiser choices by choosing a safer automobile for ourselves and our families. But even that isn''t enough. We must then use the restraint systems while we are driving. Newer vehicles have air bags, which require us to do nothing in order to benefit from this added car safety feature. In addition, side air bags are also available on some models. The actual bodies of the cars, side panels, as well as front and rear panels, are now designed for greater impact protection should we be in crash.

If you are shopping for a car, you can get insightful and honest information on vehicle safety ratings by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Crash test and rollover test ratings are available for review on most passenger cars, pick up trucks, SUVs, and vans from 1990 onward. Car safety ratings can be compared quite easily. This is a very good site to visit and can assist consumers in making an informed decision based on a car''s safety ratings.

The next time you get into your car, remember that car safety is a choice. A choice that can save your life and the lives of others.

Chet Carlington is a retired auto mechanic. After twenty years in the automobile industry, Chet has established a second career, writing about various automotive issues, including car safety.