Choosing a safe and sustainable car

Cars come with a huge array of different safety features. Some of these are mandatory and you won’t get a Warrant of Fitness without them. Others are more sophisticated extras that you can choose when you buy a car. How you maintain your vehicle is also important in keeping it safe and reducing its environmental impact.

In addition to safety features, there are other things you should consider when buying a car. What will you mostly use it for – long trips and heavy loads, or smaller trips around town? Try not to buy a bigger car than you need. By buying a smaller model you may be able to cut your fuel bills dramatically.

Your choice of vehicle and how you drive it can also reduce your effect on the environment. Driving a car that uses less fuel, maintaining it well and driving in an efficient way means that you will save money and your car will produce less of the pollutants that effect air quality and less CO2 that contributes to climate change.

Regardless of your car’s technology, the most crucial feature in avoiding crashes is the driver. Drive safely at all times and ensure your knowledge of the Road Code is up to date. When choosing a car, take time to understand all its features and make sure you can control it easily.

Basic safety

• Adjustability and comfort (includes air conditioning; head restraints; seats; steering wheel)
• Brakes (includes all 'basic' brakes info)
• Exhausts
• Fire prevention and protection
• Handling and stability
• Load restraints
• Safety belts (includes all 'basic' safety belts info)
• Tyres (includes all 'basic' tyre info)
• Visibility, being seen and signals

Features to protect you and others

• Advanced safety belt features (includes active control retractor; pretensioner)
• Air bags
• Doors and bonnet technology (includes bonnet technology and door design)
• Vehicle interiors (includes padding and edges; knee bolsters; adaptive restraints; restraint control module (RCM); steering - collapsible column)

Features to prevent crashes

• Advanced braking systems (includes ABS brakes and TCS; EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and EBS (electronic brake stabilisation); ESC (Electronic Stability Control))
• Driver monitoring and reminders (includes alcohol interlocks; doze alert/drowsy warning; intelligent seat belt reminders)
• Driver sight and visibility aids (includes daytime running lamps; headlight cleaning system; night vision technology; reverse assist; reversing camera)
• Intelligent vehicle features (includes ITS (intelligent transport systems); GPS; collision notification; active suspension; adaptive cruise contol)
• Warning systems (includes forward collision warning; tyre pressure warning; collision warning systems; lane departure warning)

Features that affect the environment

• Air-conditioning
• Exhausts
• Tyres
• Good driving habits (link to Fuelsaver)

Last updated: 23 October 2007