A Guide to Choosing the Safest Family Vehicles
Your family’s safety is your top priority on the road, but with so many vehicle options available, selecting the right one can feel impossible. Here, we break down the critical safety features to consider, which ones you can forego, and which types of vehicles generally offer the best protection.
Driver Safety Features
These innovative safety systems work to detect and mitigate potential hazards, providing an extra layer of protection for you and your loved ones.
Adaptive cruise control (ACC): This advanced form of cruise control automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, making long drives with kids safer and less strenuous.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB): This system monitors the road ahead and automatically applies the brakes if it detects an impending collision, helping to reduce the chances and impact of a crash.
Blind spot monitoring: Cars have blind spots that can conceal other vehicles, making lane changes risky. Blind-spot detection systems alert drivers when a car is in their blind spot to reduce the risk of side collisions.
Lane departure warning: This proactive safety feature monitors the vehicle’s position within lane markings and alerts you if you start to veer out of your lane without signaling.
Structural Safety Features
The integrity of your vehicle’s structure is critical to your safety on the road. Here are some built-in features that many modern cars use to safeguard passengers.
Crumple zones: These are areas of a vehicle designed to absorb and dissipate the energy during a collision, reducing the force imparted to the occupants.
Side-impact protection: Good family vehicles come with reinforced side panels and additional airbags to protect passengers in case of side collisions.
Rollover prevention: Systems like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can prevent rollovers, particularly in higher vehicles like SUVs, by automatically controlling brakes and engine power.
Interior Safety Features
Inside the vehicle, smart design and technology work to protect your most precious cargo, your family.
Advanced airbag systems: Modern vehicles offer advanced multi-stage airbags that adjust the deployment force based on the crash’s severity and the occupant’s size. Many family-friendly cars are also equipped with side airbags to protect backseat passengers.
Child safety locks and window controls: These prevent children from opening doors or windows, an essential when driving with curious little passengers.
LATCH system: Now required in nearly all passenger vehicles, the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system makes child seat installation easier and more secure, a must-have for young families.
Features You Can Forego
The features you choose will depend on personal preferences, driving habits, and budget, but it’s wise to consider which ones are essential and which are more about luxury or convenience. Here are some features you might decide aren’t crucial.
Lane keep assist: While it can help gently steer you back into your line if you start to drift, attentive driving and proper use of turn signals are often just as effective.
Parking assist: These can guide you into a parking spot, but they are more about convenience than safety, especially for experienced drivers.
Elaborate entertainment systems: Though not a safety feature, these systems are common in family cars. However, they are often expensive and underused, as passengers typically use their own devices.
Best Types of Vehicles for Families
Selecting the right vehicle for your family is about balancing safety, comfort, and practicality. Here are some of the cars that do just that.
Minivans: With their easy cabin accessibility, ample space, and child-friendly amenities, minivans are a perennial favorite for families.
SUVs: Parents who like an elevated view of the road may prefer SUVs, which offer higher ground clearance. They also typically come with advanced tech and safety features, making them popular among families who spend lots of time in the car.
Sedans: Many sedans come highly rated for safety and can be more adorable, offering great value for families looking for a reliable and efficient vehicle.
Where Can You Research Vehicle Safety?
When deciding on the best vehicle for your family, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are invaluable resources. The NHTSA provides detailed information on crashworthiness and rollover safety. Similarly, the IIHS, known for its ‘Top Safety Pick’ awards, evaluates vehicles for their crash protection, crash avoidance, and safety tech.
Both sites allow you to search for vehicles by model and year, giving you access to comprehensive data, including crash test results and overall safety ratings. You can also compare the safety and performance of multiple vehicles, ensuring you choose the one that best protects your family.
An educated, alert, and cautious driver is the most important safety feature in any car. Register for a driving course today and get the skills necessary to protect you and your loved ones on the road.
