If you are thinking about purchasing a new car in Florida, you may wish to consider buying one with a collision avoidance system. Per the results of a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, such systems can reduce your risk of head-on, single-vehicle and sideswipe accidents by 11 percent.
In addition, a collision avoidance system such as a blind spot and/or lane departure warning indicator can reduce your risk of suffering injuries in a vehicle crash by up to 21 percent. Why? Because they give you time to avoid the impending crash.
Installation
Unfortunately, these technologies come as standard equipment on only a very small percentage of new cars. In terms of 2017 models, only 6 percent of them included a lane departure warning system and only 9 percent of them included a blind spot alert system as part of their respective standard equipment. However, another 57 percent of 2017 models offered these systems as part of an optional, usually expensive, safety or high-trim package.
Statistics are not yet available for the new 2018 models. Your best strategy, if you are in the market for a new vehicle, is to do your homework, determine which models offer which systems, and see which dealerships offer the best deals on them.
Usage
Assuming you purchase a vehicle with one or more of these technologies, be sure to consistently use these safety devices now available to you. Surprisingly enough, the IIHS study also revealed that many owners disable these systems because they become irritated with the beeps that many such systems emit. Others cannot stand the driver’s seat vibrations that other systems use. Obviously, you should thoroughly test drive each technology-enhanced car to see if its warning methodologies are compatible with your driving preferences. After all, there is no point in having a safety system that you refuse to use.
On the other hand, considering that these collision avoidance systems can save not only your own life, but also the lives of your spouse and kids, you may want to put up with a few petty annoyances in favor of the proven benefits these systems provide.