More Proof That Safety Innovations in Cars Make a Difference

The roads can be dangerous, especially during the holiday season where there are more travelers than normal. Anything that can be done to decrease the number of serious injuries from car accidents on our nation’s highways is a good thing. That’s why we occasionally highlight new safety features in cars–because they really can make a difference.
For example, a few months ago we discussed a number of new safety features that help to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. Similarly, in the past, we also discussed how the National Highway Transportation Safety Association was behind a push to have black boxes installed in all cars, much like the black boxes found on airplanes. These devices provide valuable feedback after an accident occurs.

Another innovative safety measure that helps to protect car occupants and prevent accidents from occurring is Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a feature that is becoming increasingly common in new vehicles. As explained in this National Post blog post, cars equipped with ESC a
re much safer than those that are not:

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a vehicle equipped with ESC is 35% less likely to be involved in a crash. The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) goes further, suggesting that it cuts fatal crashes by 43% and the likelihood of a fatality due to a rollover by a whopping 77% to 80%! The next phase of active safety has to do with predicting an incident and then taking corrective action before it occurs.

These statistics are convincing and offer further evidence that installing safety features in cars is one of the best ways to prevent serious car accidents from ever occurring. As these types of features become standard offerings in new vehicles, our roads will be safer and the number of accidents will hopefully show a dramatic decline. In the meantime, buckle up, keep your eyes on the road, drive safely and have an enjoyable time with your family and friends this holiday season.