ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS

What they are:

Anti-lock brake systems have become an industry standard. Anti lock brakes don't stop your car any faster than regular brakes. What they do, however, is provide maximum stoppage with maximum control. Should an emergency arise, a reflexive stomp on the brakes and a quick turn can make your vehicle uncontrollable. ABS lets the driver maneuver the car while simultaneously applying maximum brake power to slow the car down.

How to use it:

A super-quick "slam" on the brakes will cause a regular car to lock up, and an ABS car to be much less effective. If an emergency arises, make sure both hands are on the wheel when applying firm continuous pressure on the brake pedal. ABS will allow you to steer around the obstruction minimizing any loss of control.

*When on dirt or unpaved roads, experienced off-roaders know that the best way to stop a car is to stomp on the brakes. This allows a pile of dirt to form under all four tires. Consequently, this stops the car in the best manner.

What they are:

If you don't know what a seatbelt is, you shouldn't be driving. Seatbelts have been around almost as long as cars, and most states have laws requiring their use. Seatbelts have saved countless lives, and wearing them is probably the single most safest thing a driver can do. Lately, most automotive manufacturers have installed height adjusters on their seat belts to accommodate drivers of all size. This is a great convenience feature, but must be used properly to assure optimal safety.

A lap/shoulder harness device designed to save lives and prevent injuries. Observational studies conducted by the NHTSA have shown that only 70% of drivers were their seat belts. However, most adults state that they wear their seatbelt. The conclusion is that they are part time seat belt users. To encourage seat belt use 100% of the time, remember:

* An accident can happen at any time.
* It is illegal to not wear a seat belt in 49 states.
* Provide a good example for your children.
* Be considerate of others-if you are killed or injured what would happen to those you left behind.
* Even if you are a safe driver, there are a lot of unsafe drivers on the road.

Seatbelts have saved countless lives, and wearing them is probably the single safest thing a driver can do. Lately, most automotive manufacturers have installed height adjusters on their seat belts to accommodate drivers of all sizes. This is a great convenience feature, but must be used properly to assure optimal safety.

How to use it:

The height adjusters can make rides more pleasant, but should be adjusted to the height that best suits safety and comfort. They should be placed just above the shoulder. Any higher could cause seatbelt burn or suffocation in the event of an accident. Any lower could cause a back or shoulder injury. By placing the seatbelt just above the shoulder, this combines a comfortable, yet secure feeling with optimal support in the even of an emergency.

Airbags

What they are:

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), or airbags, are by far the largest step taken in the automotive safety industry. Airbags use sensors placed around the car to determine if inflation would help the passenger(s). If the sensors determine an emergency, the (proper) airbag(s) will inflate faster than the blink of an eye (at 200 mph!) and reduce the injury potential of the car's inhabitants. According to the NHTSA, from the introduction of airbags in 1980, through November 1, 1997 airbags saved 2,620 people. They also helped to prevent life threatening head and chest injuries. The NHTSA reports airbags are 75% effective in preventing serious head injuries and 66% effective in preventing chest injuries. During this same time period, there were 87 deaths associated with airbags and 49 were children. In most cases this was because the victim was too close to the airbag when it started to deploy. Most of the children were improperly restrained or positioned.

How to use it:

Airbags and seatbelts work in conjunction to each other. Imagine running, not driving, into a wall going 200 mph. That would hurt! Now, imagine doing it with a bungee cord attached to your waist, which slows you down to about 20 mph right before you hit. That would hurt too, but not as much. That's how airbags and seatbelts work together. The chances of surviving an accident when both are used are dramatically increased. Keep 10 inches between the center of the airbag cover and your breastbone.

Infants and children under 12 should sit in the back seat and be restrained in a car seat or with a seat belt. Always place infants in a rear facing car seat in the back seat. If for some reason, your infant or child has to sit in the front seat, the airbag can be disabled by meeting criteria of the NHTSA and applying for an on-off switch through the NTSHA. On-off switches are operated with a key and have an indicator light on the dashboard. A link to the NHTSA website is provided below for more information on this topic. If you allow children to sit in front either unrestrained or improperly restrained, you are placing them at serious risk. An on-off switch is not the answer. A child simply reaching forward to change the radio station puts them at risk. Smart airbags are being developed which tailor deployment based on occupant size, position, severity of accident and seat belt use.