7 Upgrades to Make Your Vehicle Safer on the Road

Safety on the road is a critical factor, especially for new drivers. As a driver, you need the skills and proper training to drive safely. But you can also enhance the safety of your vehicle with the following add-ons.

1. Reverse Camera

A reverse camera provides more insights into your surroundings, particularly in tight parking spots. Without a reverse camera, you can collide with an electric pole or even hit a child in your blind spot. While some vehicles come with a reverse camera, you may have to buy and install an aftermarket camera.

2. Pad or Pillow

Are you a person who is short and has challenges seeing over the steering wheel? Your short stature might be an impediment when driving certain vehicles.

For instance, you will have a larger blind spot because you are lower in the vehicle. Also, airbags can injure you during deployment. Use a pad or pillow to elevate your position in the vehicle.

3. Fog Lights

Fog is a common road hazard that you can't avoid. The weather condition reduces visibility and makes it harder to see oncoming vehicles. Regular headlights shine directly into the fog and limit visibility. The solution is installing fog lights with greater illumination than standard headlights.

4. Forward-Collision Warning

Forward-collision warning uses sensors, radars, and forward-facing cameras to warn about nearby objects. The system will do calculations and determine whether you are moving too fast or too close to another vehicle or object.

Most forward-warning collision systems provide visual and audible warnings if you try to leave your lane without signaling or follow another vehicle too closely. You also get instant notifications about approaching cyclists and pedestrians.

Forward-collision warning systems monitor your speed and can even detect speed limit signs. This ensures that you don't get in trouble by driving too fast in specific sections of the road. In some cases, you can sync the warning system with your smartphone for more functionality.

5. Satellite Navigation

Many of the latest vehicles now come with satellite navigation, but you may need to install the add-on in your older model vehicle. Satellite navigation provides live information about the road where you are driving.

For example, some satellite navigation systems can warn you of a car accident on the road ahead so that you can take a different route. This may be helpful for new drivers who may need help navigating narrow passes.

6. Child Seats

Install child seats if you regularly drive around with your children in the car. Child seats are easy to install, and you can find a model that is ideal for your child's height and age.

7. Automatic Emergency Braking

Automatic reverse and forward braking help prevent accidents when you have to break suddenly. For example, you may not have enough time to stop or are distracted.

The system first appeared in the mid-2000s, but now virtually all models and makes include automatic emergency braking. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants all vehicles sold in the United States to have the technology.

Some automatic emergency braking systems work at lower speeds. These systems can prevent collisions in parking lots, heavy traffic, and city streets. Other automatic emergency braking systems can scan further down the road and identify a possible collision.

While all these features increase road safety, you will only be safe on the road if you are a good driver. Being a good driver starts with completing your driving lessons at a professional driving school, like Tricounty Driving School. We provide various driving school services, like traffic school and driving training. Contact us for more information.