safety dummy
The latest automotive commercials often focus on making an individual feel that they would do well to buy the car featured as an “upgrade” to their current model, due to a bevy of new safety features. However, this week, the Tesla Model S was named the safest car. Then a few days later, one of the vehicles caught fire, in what is now a high profile developing story. Spending a large amount of money for the safest car possible does not guarantee a complete lack of issues. The truth of the matter is that many of the safety features touted as cutting edge are available to be installed on most models of vehicle by your auto body repair shop. If you have a model that you’d like a specific safety feature on, or even a new luxury model that you perhaps feel is missing that one little thing, here are a few aftermarket safety devices that can be installed by your auto body professional.
Proximity Sensors
Proximity sensors are the most simple aftermarket safety addition to your vehicle. They consist of small, usually ultrasonic or electromagnetic proximity sensors that detect the distance of other objects from your vehicle. In car commercials, you may see them advertised with proprietary names that involve the words “park” and “assist” for different companies. Aftermarket sensors are easily installed in your front and rear bumper and then wired to make a beeping noise in your vehicle when you get too close to another object.
Forward Collision Warning
A forward collision warning system, also known as a collision avoidance system, is designed to help you avoid a crash by alerting you if you the cars in front of you are stopped to provide you with more time to respond. Collision warning systems are often heavily advertised in new car commercials, since certain collision types, such as head-on collisions, have very poor outcomes. A forward collision warning can alert a driver when they are getting too close to an object allowing them to brake or swerve, and is available now to install on almost any vehicle, SUV, truck and even RV.
Back-up cameras
According to Kids and Cars, a consumer safety group, 34% of all non-traffic child fatalities were vehicle “backovers” in which a child is run over by a vehicle backing up, compared to just 2% of fatalities related to drowning. An after-market back-up camera is simply a small camera installed near your license plate with a display in your dashboard. It can help you avoid hitting inanimate obstacles and also save young lives.
You don’t have to buy a new car just to take advantage of the latest safety features. Speak to your trusted Rohnert Park auto body professional about which of these aftermarket safety devices would work with your vehicle.
