Carmakers are coming out with several interesting, new safety options, but which features really make a difference? CTV Consumer Reporter Lynda Steele took a closer look at some new bells and whistles on the automotive market that might help save your life one day.
Consumer Reports recently tested a number of these new safety features to see how they measured up.
Nissan has developed an expanded notion of a rear-view camera which offers 360-degree visibility so you can see all around the vehicle.
"These systems can prove really beneficial in tight quarters and especially if you have kids that might be around your car, because they give you a double check of your surroundings," said Jennifer Stockburger of Consumer Reports.
"The key to using them, though, is you have to kind of train yourself to look at the monitors," she said.
Another new safety feature which Consumer Reports recommends is a blind-spot alert system. This system lights up when a vehicle is in your blind spot, so you know not to change lanes.
However, some other safety features did not impress the testers.
"Pre-crash warning systems, what they do is alert you if you're approaching a vehicle ahead of you or something in front of you," added Stockburger. "What testers found, though, is that they were a bit overly sensitive, and they were going off even in safe, normal driving conditions."
According to Consumer Reports, automatic braking systems, like Volvo's "City Safety," are far better as they can stop your vehicle if you get too close to something in front of you.
"Lane Departure" is another new feature which is designed to signal if you have drifted out of your lane. However, testers found it can be too sensitive as well.
"We found that they gave too many warnings when you were driving on secondary roads, where you cross and approach the centre line more often," said Stockburger.
While some of these safety features are a plus, they are not meant to take the place of keeping your eyes on the road.
Consumer Reports considers three safety features to be a must: electronic stability control, side-curtain air bags and anti-lock brakes. The stability control and ABS will be standard on every 2012 vehicle and side air bags are becoming increasingly available on all levels of vehicles.
Many seatbelts will be changing as well. Inflatable rear-seat safety belts, brought to the market by Ford Motor Company, inflate like mini air bags in a front or side crash. Ford said the seat belts provide head and neck support, spread the impact over a wider area and are more compatible with child seats.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Lynda Steele
