What are the safety features you must look out for when purchasing a new car?

Despite this growing reassurance, driving is not always safe, particularly given factors such as road conditions, drivers’ behaviours, and distractions. In the UK, a total of 128,272 casualties were recorded between 2023 and 2024, with 1,602 cases being fatalities. The main causes include reckless driving, drivers passing too closely, and exceeding the speed limit.

Although some factors are uncontrollable in contributing to vehicle accidents, drivers can always take precautions to minimise consequences by choosing a car with efficient safety features. Let’s break down some of them.

An automatic crash response

The automatic crash response feature is one of the most innovative, as it uses sensors installed in the vehicle to detect the severity of an accident and send the information to a live advisor. The option is available 24/7 and allows calling for help without the driver having to do it manually, which can be impossible in some severe accidents.

This feature can also be helpful in cases where the other driver is uninsured or untraced, as they may have had the vehicle stolen or lack liability coverage for their vehicle. Such an accident also makes the case for an injury claim if the accident caused you injuries, offering enough evidence for claiming against an uninsured driver. In Ireland, the compensation is supported by the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).

A run-off road protection

Numerous accidents occur when people fall asleep while driving, either because they’re tired from extended working hours or simply because they're tired. This is called drowsy driving, and it can be deadly not only for the driver but also for other road participants.

That’s why run-off road protection might help tackle this issue, as the feature introduced by Volvo helps detect when a car leaves the road. The system automatically tightens the seat belt to protect the occupants and prepares the airbags for deployment. In the event of a collision, the brake pedal is retracted. Still, the protection works at speeds of 65-140 km/h on specific roads with clearly visible markings.

Autonomous emergency braking

The AEB system is already nothing new to the market, but not enough vehicles are equipped with it. The technology monitors traffic conditions and can detect potential crashes. In the first phase, it will warn the driver audibly via an alarm and visually by displaying the warning on the vehicle's screen. If the driver fails to act on time, the system will apply the brakes efficiently.

Under new safety rules, all new vehicles sold in the EU must be equipped with an AEB system. Automated braking systems are expected to save approximately 25,000 lives by 2030, but other technologies are also needed in cars. That’s because estimating accidents occurring in different road traffic conditions isn’t as easy as it seems.

A system for detecting blind spots

Blind spots are by far the most dangerous factors in collisions and injuries. The blind spot of a car is a design limitation that prevents the mirrors from providing visibility in all areas around the vehicle. Reduced visibility happens somewhere between the A-pillar, the side-view mirror, and the interior rear-view mirror.

This design error can be fixed with blind-spot detection technology, which automatically activates a flashing light in the mirror when the system detects it’s unsafe to change lanes. Since the product isn’t new, the system has been introduced in different ways, so you can also find it with radar sensors in the rear bumper. The only limitation of this feature is that it sometimes alerts drivers to parked vehicles, but it still makes drivers more cautious than usual.

An alert for cross-traffic

Reversing the car to park is already difficult due to packed parking spots, but it can become dangerous for pedestrians or other vehicles approaching. The alert for cross-traffic informs you of any vehicle or person in your blind spot when parking, using sensors and/or cameras. The visual and audible alert is enough to prevent an accident.

This feature would be especially necessary in electric cars. When drivers park, other people often cannot hear the vehicle because it is normally silent, leading to injuries to pedestrians or cyclists. The lack of noise also puts visually impaired people, children, and the elderly at a disadvantage, so such a feature is a non-negotiable for owners of EVs.

An adaptive cruise control system

The ACC feature has the potential to change driving forever, especially for beginners. It includes numerous features that automatically activate. For example, the system ensures the vehicle maintains a pre-set distance from the car in front through a sensor. More advanced features leverage the benefits of radar or laser technology, providing greater accuracy and helping prevent accidents across different traffic conditions.

For example, the system maintains speed on a motorway and on congested roads, depending on how other cars position themselves relative to yours. The feature is necessary to reduce the stress of driving, which is often caused by unpredictable behaviour from other drivers. The CC can also bring the car to a complete stop in stop-and-go traffic and then automatically drive off when other cars move.

Conclusion

Buying a new car is exciting, but ensuring it can protect you in the event of an accident is necessary. The roads of the UK can be dangerous due to challenging road conditions and problematic drivers, so you can never be 100% prepared for an accident. Luckily, with the help of technology, you can minimise the effects of an accident by opting for features like the automatic crash response, autonomous emergency braking, and cross-traffic alerts. Regardless, accidents leading to injuries can still happen, so knowing who to contact in the event of a collision makes it easier to claim compensation, even when the other driver is uninsured. Advisors can offer support with the right evidence.