Safety things you might not know.• When it comes to car safety, look for independent

safety ratings by ANCAP and the Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR). Safety ratings change over time. When you are looking to purchase a car, always look for the most current safety ratings.

• It is true that newer cars are likely to have more modern safety features. However, you will see that some older models of certain makes rate very well too – particularly if they are fitted with important safety features like electronic stability control and curtain side-airbags.

• 4WD vehicles may appear strong and indestructible. But because of their relatively higher centre of gravity, they handle differently and are more likely to be involved in rollover type crashes. If you are keen on a 4WD, weigh up all the safety features like electronic stability control and curtain side-airbags.

• When it comes to car colour, it is more than just skin-deep. You may think black looks cool, but white could save your life. Lighter colours improve the visibility of your car to other road users.

NO-NONSENSE PROTECTIONYour pocket guide to car safety.Print this out, fold it up and keep it in your pocket when you’re looking to buy.

Some handy definitions.• Frontal airbags deploy from the steering wheel and the glove

box to protect the driver and the front passenger in a frontal crash. To benefit most from these airbags, remember to wear properly adjusted seatbelts, no matter how casual or short the ride is.

• Curtain side-airbags protect both the head and upper torso by forming a cushion between the occupant and the side door/window. They deploy from above the window sill in a side impact crash. Curtain side-airbags are provided for each row of seats and unlike the frontal airbags, deflate over time, thus providing valuable protection in rollover type crashes.

• Seat belt pretensioners tighten and reduce slack in seat belts to protect occupants from rapidly moving forward in a crash.

• Antilock Braking System (ABS) reduces the risk of wheel lock-up when braking heavily or on slippery surfaces. This helps to maintain better steering control and avoid hitting objects and other vehicles.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) reduces the danger of skidding or losing control, as a result of drivers’ reactions to obstacles. It uses computer-controlled technology to apply individual brakes and helps bring the car safely back in line, without the danger of fish-tailing.

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) employs sensors to monitor presence and relative speeds of other vehicles and road users in the proximity. It warns the driver of any imminent danger of collision and even applies brakes, if the driver fails to take corrective action.

• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) is a driver assist technology that applies full braking effort when it senses that the driver is attempting an emergency stop. This works in conjunction with Antilock Braking System (ABS) to avoid wheel lock-up.

• Traction control systems measure wheel rotation to help give your car optimum grip and stability on the road when you accelerate. It stops wheel spin by reducing engine power or temporarily applying the brakes to that wheel. This allows the car to accelerate smoothly, even on slippery surfaces. Limited slip differentials also help distribute traction forces evenly on a slippery surface.

• Headrests are important safety features and should be fitted to all seats – front and back – because they help prevent whiplash in rear impact crashes.

• Active Cruise Control or Adaptive Cruise Control detects the distance and speed of the vehicle in front of you and maintains a safe following distance.

• Blind spot warning systems detect the distance and closing speed of objects in adjacent lanes, and alerts you if a collision is imminent.

• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems warn drivers when they drift from their lane or lane change occurs without indication.

Find out more at howsafeisyourcar.com.au

How do you spot a safe car?Cars are rated on a one to five star rating system. If you are in the market for a new car or relatively new car (zero-four years old), find out its ANCAP safety rating. For older used cars refer to its Used Car Safety Rating (UCSR). A four or five star rating is good. Anything less than a three star rating is not worth risking.

You can search both these ratings for free on howsafeisyourcar.com.au. Here you will also find plenty of other information, including specifications and what the different safety features mean and do. So make sure you look on howsafeisyourcar.com.au before you choose a car.

How can safety features help?Some safety features reduce the risk of crashing, like electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and traction control. Other safety features reduce the risk of being injured in a crash, like seat belts, curtain side-airbags and crumple zones. And others keep you safer by making driving easier and more comfortable, such as seat height adjustment.

Get the right protection. Make sure the car that you buy has these three basics:1. A strong cabin that retains its shape in severe impact

and provides safe survival space for its occupants.

2. Crumple zones outside and all around the cabin to absorb the energy of impact so occupants can ride the crash more gently.

3. Effective restraints for the driver and the passengers so they are prevented from getting tossed around inside the cabin or ejected from the vehicle.

YOUR NO-NONSENSE CAR SAFETY CHECKLISTHow does it rate?Does the car rate four stars or more on ANCAP (for new cars) or UCSR (for used cars)?

Does it do the job? £ Off road use

£ Long distance travel

£ General motoring

£ Everyday commuting

£ Child restraints

£ Towing a caravan/trailer

£ Enough storage space to secure items in the car & boot

Check off the safety featuresCrash protection

£ 4 or 5 star safety rating

£ Seat belt pretensioners

£ Load limiter seat belts

£ Dual front airbags

£ Curtain airbags and side impact protection

£ Side airbags

£ Knee airbags

£ Anti-whiplash system

£ Adjustable head restraints

£ Cargo barrier

£ Crumple zones

Crash avoidance

£ Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

£ Electronic stability control (ESC)

£ Emergency brake assist (EBA)

£ Traction control

£ Cruise control

£ Active cruise control

£ Reverse camera and/or sensors

£ Automated daytime running lights

£White or another highly visible colour

£ Intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) system

Driver comfort

£ Adjustable seating position

£ Adjustable steering wheel

£ Adjustable seatbelt height

£ Electric adjustable mirrors

£ Sufficient head and leg room

£ Good all round visibility with no obstructions/blind spots from the driver seat

£ Easy to use instruments/controls eg. cruise control, wipers

£ Comfortable seating and lumbar (lower back) support

£ Power steering

Driveability

Did the following features pass the inspection/test drive?

£ Steering

£ Braking

£ Road handling (e.g. cornering, riding over bumps)

£ Overtaking

£ Reversing

£ Ease of parking

£ Blind spot issues

£ Cooling and heating

£ Turning circle

£ Tyre conditions

Child safetyBy law, children up to 7 years must be seated in properly fitted and adjusted child restraints. So make sure you look for the following safety features in your next car:

£ Lap/sash seat belts (3 point seat belts) in the centre rear seat position

£ Centre rear anchorage point (hook) for a child seat

£ Are the seat belts long enough to thread through the restraint when it’s in its most extended (reclined) position?

£ If it’s a hatch back, is there a clear path between the back seat and the rear anchorage point so that the parcel shelf doesn’t interfere with adjustment of the tether strap?

£ If it’s a people-mover, does it have anchorage points for all seats? Where are they located? And does fitting a child restraint reduce the number of people you can carry?Visit jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/safe-cars