The next time you buckle up and lay back against the headrest, remember these two safety features haven't always been around. They were first launched in the 1950s as luxury accessories and were only made mandatory for new vehicles in the late 1960s.
We've come a long way since then, and every few years, legislators pass new laws to make cars and trucks safer than ever. Let's take a trip down memory lane to go over the latest mandatory vehicle safety feature additions — and to get a glimpse of luxury add-ons that could change the future of driving.
5 Safety Features Required By Law
Cars used to be incredibly dangerous. In 1913, 33 people died for every 10,000 vehicles on the road. Compare that to 2021, when only two people died for every 10,000 vehicles. Our roads are safer today in large part because of these five safety features.
1. Airbags
Airbags were made mandatory on all new vehicles in 1998. They've saved 50,457 lives in just 30 years by cushioning the impact (and severity) of a crash. But they're only effective if you follow airbag safety tips.
2. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
All cars made after 2012 have ABS. This type of brake design prevents the wheels from locking, giving drivers better steering control in slippery conditions.
3. Tire Pressure Sensors
Mandatory since 2007, these sensors allow drivers to check tire pressure with ease — and make changes when needed. They improve fuel economy, extend tire life, and prevent tire blowouts.
4. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC uses sensors to prevent vehicles from skidding and spinning out of control. It's especially useful in rainy conditions when hydroplaning is likely. All cars and trucks made after 2011 have it.
5. Backup Cameras
Backup cameras became a safety requirement in 2018. They're not just useful in helping drivers parallel park — they can also save lives! By improving visibility toward the back of the vehicle, drivers can see if there's an obstacle in their way.
Small children are especially vulnerable since they're so hard to see without cameras. Before 2018, backover crashes killed more than 200 people — and injured over 12,000 people — annually.
3 New Safety Features Changing the Future of Driving
There's still a lot of work to do: 2022 was one of the deadliest years on American roads in modern times, with 42,795 deaths. Experts hope that these three safety features — which are only luxury add-ons right now — can prevent accidents and save lives.
1. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked the federal government to make AEB mandatory in 2023. It would dramatically reduce rear-end crashes and pedestrian collisions by making the vehicle brake by itself, without drivers having to intervene. According to experts, if all cars and trucks on the road today had AEB, 360 lives would be saved every year.
2. Blind Spot Detection
SUVs and trucks get bigger every year, and so do the front blind zones. Drivers can't see anything in these spots while driving. That's dangerous when it comes to merging lanes (especially at high speeds) and for young children. Because of their short stature, they're difficult (if not impossible) to spot when they stand in front or to the side of large vehicles.
From 2016 to 2022, 744 children were killed in accidents involving wide blind spots. Those deaths could have been prevented with blind-spot sensors. Car manufacturers and legislators are pushing for loud, beeping blind spot detection systems to be required in all new vehicles.
3. Lane Departure Warning
Some newer vehicles alert drivers when they start straying from their lane. Lights flash and a beeping sound goes off until the driver corrects the steering wheel. This lane departure warning could prevent accidents due to drowsy driving.
Secure the Ultimate Safety Feature, Defensive Driving
You should never only rely on your vehicle's safety systems. Until someone invents fool-proof self-driving cars, you're still in charge. Enrolling in a defensive driving course could be just what you need to keep yourself (and other road users) safe.
You'll learn how to deal with aggressive drivers, inclement weather, and other unexpected scenarios on the road to avoid accidents. And since you can take classes from home at your own pace, your busy schedule won't stop you from becoming the most skilled, responsible driver you can be.
Updated 11/1/23
