Ford has been working diligently to create a reputation for themselves as being safety innovators in the world of automakers. As a personal injury lawyer in South Carolina, I have to give them credit for doing a good job too. The company has invested numerous hours of research and money into developing better safety systems, particularly for airbags. Earlier this year Ford unveiled the first inflatable seat belts on the market. Now, they’re following that up with a refined airbag system.
The new airbags feature a tether that effectively sucks in the bottom of the airbag to the steering column. Normally this is the area of the airbag that can cause injuries to the driver or passenger by being deployed with enough force to break ribs or cause internal damage. According to Ford of Europe’s Safety Manager, “We’ve done extensive testing to see how this change can help drivers during an accident.”
In addition, they’ve also added small vents to the side airbags which will release some of the pressure when a small passenger is in the seat. If they are an average sized adult, their shoulders would sit at a height that would block the air vents so they still get the correct amount of airbag force. Ford VP of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering stated in this article, “Each of these airbags uses innovative technologies to help better customize air bag protection to the occupant.”
Lastly, the company is bolstering it’s vehicles by implementing high-strength steel into the car’s skeleton which is less likely to bend in a car accident. With these three combined features, Ford owners can rest assured that they are in some of the safest cars on the market.
The Honda 2010 Accord Crosstour is the latest target of product recalls, this time for airbag issues. According to this article from Consumer Reports, the recall affects around 3,300 vehicles for their front passenger airbag. Apparently the airbag may not meet federal regulations for safety when an average sized six year-old passenger. The issue may only affect certain lot numbers of the 2010 Accord and it is expected that Honda will issue more information by September 22nd when they claim they will notify owners with a recall notice.
When consumers take their cars into a dealer, it is highly unlikely that a repairman would be able to tell whether the airbag deployed with too much force for a young child. That being said, Honda will likely immediately repair or replace the airbag if it’s found to be within the affected lot number range.
As a South Carolina personal injury lawyer, I’d like to remind parents and caregivers that young children shouldn’t be riding in the front seat anyways. Until they are at least 13 years old, they are much safer in the back seat. Airbags can actually cause more harm than good for young children in the event of a car accident, so you should always seat them in the back if possible. In fact, some states even require this by law. To find out if your Honda Accord is affected by the recall, you can visit www.recalls.honda.com after September 22nd.
Auto manufacturers are spending millions on auto safety to try and make their cars safer than ever before. All of this new technology not only adds to your safety, but it adds to the price tag. So what if you can’t afford a new car with all the fancy bells and whistles?
Most people turn to the internet or the newspaper to find a good used car. We’ve talked about the importance of checking up on used cars to make sure there aren’t active recalls on the model you’re looking to purchase. There are two safety features that you really should shell out the extra money for.
The first safety feature you want to make sure your new (used) car has is electronic stability control. Electronic stability control monitors your vehicles response to your steering, acceleration, etc. and makes adjustments to keep your car under control. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) electronic stability control is one of the most effective means of preventing fatalities.
The second safety feature you want your next vehicle to have is side air bags. These air bags help protect your torso and head while keeping you from flopping around inside the cabin in rollover and side-impact car accidents. Obviously newer cars tend to have side air bags, but they have actually been around for years. So keep an eye out and make sure to put them on your checklist of options.
As a South Carolina car accident attorney I know that buying a new car can be a very stressful experience for people, but there’s no reason why it has to be. The main thing you should do is make sure that you have a list of all the features you want and try not to settle. Your first thoughts should be on safety and reliability. Spending a little bit more money on a safer car can really help save you, and your loved ones in the long run.
