{"id":8220,"date":"2023-03-28T05:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T05:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=8220"},"modified":"2023-05-30T17:09:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T17:09:15","slug":"top-car-safety-features-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/auto-tips\/top-car-safety-features-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Car Safety Features in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first automobiles were developed in Europe in the late 1800s, but Americans quickly jumped into the automobile game. In 1893, two bicycle mechanics in Springfield, MA brought forth the first American gasoline-powered vehicle. Those early models bear little resemblance to the ones we drive today \u2013 and that\u2019s nowhere more apparent than in safety standards.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early days, drivers and passengers took their chances when climbing aboard these \u201ccontraptions\u201d that resembled modern cars only in the fact there is a carriage with wheels and an engine. Luckily, top speeds in early autos were around 12 mph, but as they got faster, safety became a bigger concern. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another essential safety feature of driving these days is car insurance<\/a>. We know that having insurance, whether it be automobile, home, life or some other, helps protect us against the financial devastation that can follow an unexpected event. The first policy was written in 1897 and now is required in the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at how the vehicle you drive today and the safety features in new cars evolved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Safety Features <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basic features, such as turn signals, headlights and seatbelts, were nowhere to be found on early automobiles<\/a>. The Ford Model T offered a windshield, headlights and a speedometer as optional add-ons. The Nash Rambler was ahead of its time, offering lap seat belts in 1950. The buying public, however, was not impressed and felt the belts were a nuisance. Nash only sold 1,000 seatbelt-equipped models. Volvo jumped in with a shoulder belt in 1959. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act passed, which, among other things, established a rulebook guiding construction called the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheels  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost from the time people have moved things from one place to another, wheels have been involved. Wheels have a colorful history, including design and engineering that passed through the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and the Celts.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More modern prototypes came around when Karl Benz came up with a spoked wire and hard-rubber tire for one of his early vehicles in 1885.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1900s, Ford began with wooden wheels, but quickly moved to welded steel. As with many other automobile improvements, racing enthusiasts are responsible for wheels that employed aluminum-magnesium alloys. Today\u2019s wheels are a marvel of modern technology, incorporating a variety of designs and materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s parlance, the word wheel includes the hub, spokes, rim and, of course, the tire. The bigger the wheel, the larger the tire. Larger tires help your car grip the road better. And, of course, the steering wheel itself works better when the actual wheels are right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brakes  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It could be argued that brakes are the most important safety feature on any forward- or rear-moving contraption. They certainly have their place in automotive safety. Unlike early iterations, which involved a wooden block hanging from a rope, once tires moved from wood and metal to rubber, brakes became a marvel of physics, using thermal energy to halt forward (or backward) progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brake Lights <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of the first drivers in the early 1900s felt that the use of hand signals was enough of a warning system to let others know their intentions. This may have worked when top speeds were 12 mph. As speeds increased, however, it became necessary to add new warning systems in the form of brake lights, and later, a turn signal. By 1928, brake requirements were mandatory in 11 states. The third brake light, invented by a psychologist who tested the gadget on taxis in San Francisco<\/a>, has been responsible for a significant decrease in rear-end collisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn Signals  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although turn signals may have a lurid soap opera history (possibly invented by well-known actress Florence Lawrence, who failed to get a patent, then spiraled downhill with an unfortunate third marriage and later killed herself with ant poison), other sources credit John Hetrick. Hetrick was reportedly inspired to invent turn signals in 1939 after watching his son use flags to indicate which way he was going.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, turn signals are a boon to automotive safety. With this simple tool, drivers can communicate their intentions to those sharing the road. Various studies have shown a reduction in read-end and side impact crashes when drivers use their turn signal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only controversy ongoing is whether they should be red or amber (more of an orangey-yellow). The Department of Transportation (DOT) produced a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report<\/a> making the case that amber lights work better than red ones. Automakers aren\u2019t required at this point to use the color amber and are balking at the extra cost (although it\u2019s not estimated to be much). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seat Belts  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although they were invented in 1885, it wasn\u2019t until 1968 that American-made models were required to have seat belts. These belts were mostly lap belts, which were later found to cause problems of their own (effectively cutting people in half in a collision). Later, three-point seat belts became the norm and, in most states, the \u201cClick It or Ticket\u201d law in 1995 made seatbelt use mandatory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, for a short time, a federal law required that carmakers build ones that would not start unless seat belts were engaged. As expected, that did not go over well with Americans, and it was shortly repealed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miscellaneous Safety Features in Early Autos <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We cannot move into newer, more modern cars without mentioning a few safety measures and equipment that were introduced in early days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n