Car Safety Features 101: Everything You Need to Know

Parking sensors: These ultrasonic sensors measure how close you are to objects and warn you with visual or audible alerts. The beeping usually speeds up as you get closer, but other systems will display it graphically in the instrument panel.

Automated parking: Hate parallel parking? This system does most of it for you. When activated, it searches for adequate space and when directed to, parks itself perfectly. The driver follows on-screen prompts as the system controls steering, speed, and braking.

Head-up display: Derived from fighter planes, a head-up display projects information onto the windshield so the driver won’t have to look down to the instrument panel. It usually includes speed, navigation prompts, and audio information. Newer high-end displays have animated arrows for navigation.

Highway driving assist: Combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, this system can be activated in heavy traffic to relieve the driver of primary duties. It will maintain a safe following distance and stay in its lane by itself, but the driver’s hands must be on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

Safety alert seat: In addition to visual and audible alarms, this system buzzes the driver’s seat to get their attention.

Dash cam: Dashcams have been a useful tool to determine fault in an accident by recording a forward view (and sometimes an interior view, too). In some sports cars, the system can record on-track driving to share with friends.

Night vision: Typically exclusive to expensive luxury vehicles, this feature shows a black-and-white video feed of the road ahead. In most cases, it uses an infrared image that illuminates heat, so you’ll also be able to see pedestrians and animals. The video is projected into either the instrument panel or infotainment screen.