When purchasing a used car in Kerala, safety should be a top priority. With Kerala’s diverse road conditions, which range from congested city streets to hilly terrain and rural roads, choosing a vehicle equipped with the right safety features is essential for both peace of mind and accident prevention. Modern cars come with a host of safety technologies designed to protect you and your passengers. Even when shopping for a used vehicle, you can find models with advanced safety features that enhance your driving experience.
Here are the top safety features to look for when buying a used car in Kerala:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is crucial for maintaining control of your car during sudden braking, especially on wet or slippery roads, which are common during Kerala’s monsoon season.
How it Works: When you press the brakes firmly, ABS keeps the wheels from locking up, lowering the possibility of skidding and enabling steering while braking.When you press the brakes firmly, ABS keeps the wheels from locking up, lowering the possibility of skidding and enabling steering while braking.
Why it Matters in Kerala: With Kerala’s frequent rains and often slick roads, ABS helps prevent accidents, particularly in emergency situations or when driving on hilly terrains where braking is crucial.
2. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is an advanced feature that helps you maintain control of your vehicle during sharp turns or sudden swerves. ESC is designed to detect when a car is veering off its intended path and automatically applies the brakes to individual wheels to keep the vehicle stable.
How it Works: Sensors monitor your car’s movement and steering input, adjusting power and braking to prevent skidding or loss of control.
Why it Matters in Kerala: With Kerala’s winding roads, especially in hilly areas like Idukki and Wayanad, ESC can be a lifesaver by reducing the risk of rollovers and helping you maintain control on sharp curves.
3. Airbags
Airbags are a vital safety feature that can significantly reduce the risk of injury during a collision. Most cars come with front airbags for the driver and passenger, while some newer models also offer side airbags and curtain airbags for additional protection.
How it Works: Airbags deploy automatically upon impact, cushioning the occupants from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, or windows.
Why it Matters in Kerala: Whether you’re driving in busy urban areas like Kochi or through less populated rural roads, the presence of airbags can be the difference between life and death in the event of a serious collision.
4. Rearview Camera and Parking Sensors
In Kerala, where many towns and cities are densely populated, parking spaces can be tight and manoeuvring through crowded streets can be tricky. A rearview camera and parking sensors help you avoid collisions and accidents while parking or reversing.
How it Works: The rearview camera gives you a clear view of the space behind your car, while parking sensors emit warning sounds as you approach obstacles.
Why it Matters in Kerala: Parking in congested areas or narrow streets is much easier and safer with these features, reducing the risk of hitting objects or pedestrians.
5. Traction Control System (TCS)
Traction Control is another essential safety feature, especially for regions with slippery or uneven roads. It helps prevent wheel spin when you accelerate on wet or loose surfaces.
How it Works: TCS detects when one or more wheels are losing traction and automatically reduces engine power or applies brakes to the affected wheels to restore grip.
Why it Matters in Kerala: Given Kerala’s often rainy weather and the presence of muddy or unpaved roads in rural areas, TCS ensures better control of the vehicle and reduces the chances of losing grip, especially when driving uphill or on slippery surfaces.
6. Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist is a feature that prevents your car from rolling backwards when you start on an incline, which is common in hilly areas like Munnar or Wayanad.
How it Works: When you release the brake pedal while on a slope, Hill Start Assist temporarily holds the brakes to give you enough time to accelerate without rolling back.
Why it Matters in Kerala: Kerala’s landscape includes many hilly regions, making Hill Start Assist especially useful for preventing accidental rollbacks and collisions.
7. Blind Spot Detection
Blind Spot Detection is a safety feature that alerts you to vehicles or objects in your blind spots, which are areas you can’t see in your side mirrors. This feature is particularly useful when changing lanes on Kerala’s busy highways.
How it Works: Sensors on the side of the car detect when another vehicle enters your blind spot and alert you with a visual or audible signal.
Why it Matters in Kerala: With Kerala’s crowded roads, this feature can help you avoid accidents when navigating through traffic, overtaking, or changing lanes.
8. Crumple Zones
By lessening the force of contact on the car’s interior, crumple zones are intended to absorb and disperse crash energy and protect the occupants. By lessening the force of contact on the car’s interior, crumple zones are intended to absorb and disperse crash energy and protect the occupants.
How it Works: During a collision, the crumple zones—usually located at the front and rear of the car deform in a controlled manner, absorbing energy and minimizing damage to the occupants.
Why it Matters in Kerala: In the unfortunate event of an accident, especially on Kerala’s busy highways, crumple zones can significantly reduce the severity of injuries to the occupants by absorbing the impact.
9. Child Safety Features
For families, ensuring the safety of children is a priority. Many modern cars come equipped with child safety features such as child lock systems and ISOFIX points for child car seats.
How it Works: Child locks prevent doors from being opened from the inside, while ISOFIX points provide secure anchor points for attaching child seats directly to the car’s chassis.
Why it Matters in Kerala: With family trips being common, especially through Kerala’s scenic routes, ensuring that child passengers are safe is essential. ISOFIX car seats offer greater safety and stability, while child locks provide added security for young passengers.
10. Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
Daytime Running Lights are designed to make your car more visible to other drivers, even during daylight hours. They automatically turn on when the vehicle is in motion.
How it Works: DRLs are low-intensity lights that remain on whenever the car is running, making it easier for other road users to see your car.
Why it Matters in Kerala: DRLs are particularly useful during Kerala’s frequent rains and foggy mornings in hilly regions, enhancing visibility and reducing the risk of collisions.
Conclusion
When buying a used car in Kerala, don’t compromise on safety. Prioritize vehicles equipped with features like ABS, airbags, traction control, and more, to ensure your and your passengers’ safety. Even in the used car market, it’s possible to find models that come with advanced safety technologies, which can help you confidently navigate Kerala’s diverse and often challenging roads.
By considering these safety features, you’ll not only protect yourself and others on the road but also increase your car’s overall value and durability.
