Loading… … Safety features of a car

Introduction Cars today are much safer to travel in than cars ten or twenty years ago. Cars today are much safer to travel in than cars ten or twenty years ago. As a result of crash tests, designs have changed and are still changing. As a result of crash tests, designs have changed and are still changing.

Crumple Zones Crumple zones were first introduced in Crumple zones were first introduced in Crumple Zones, indicated here in red, were designed to absorb the energy of a collision by bending and breaking in a predictable manner. In doing so, the force of the collision would be diverted away from the passenger's compartment, thereby keeping him or her from serious injury. Crumple Zones, indicated here in red, were designed to absorb the energy of a collision by bending and breaking in a predictable manner. In doing so, the force of the collision would be diverted away from the passenger's compartment, thereby keeping him or her from serious injury.

Seat belts The seat belt was introduced by Nash Motors in The seat belt was introduced by Nash Motors in Seat belts work in the same principle as crumple zones. Seat belts work in the same principle as crumple zones. They make the change in momentum take longer – so that the force is less. They make the change in momentum take longer – so that the force is less.

Airbags Airbags help cushion the impact, reducing your momentum more slowly so that the force is less. Airbags help cushion the impact, reducing your momentum more slowly so that the force is less. Airbags are intended to be used as a supplementary device to the seatbelt. Airbags are intended to be used as a supplementary device to the seatbelt.

Traction Control Traction control systems improve vehicle stability by controlling the amount the drive wheels can slip when you apply excess power. The system automatically adjusts the engine power output and, in some systems, applies braking force to selected wheels during acceleration.

Head Injury Protection Head injury protection consists of foam or other energy absorbing material under the trim of the vehicle interior and is likely to be invisible to vehicle occupants. Some vehicles have head air bags.

All-Wheel Drive All-wheel drive distributes power to both front and rear wheels to maximize traction. Unless combined with traction control, all-wheel drive systems do not prevent the drive wheels from slipping when you apply excess power during acceleration.