New car prices are rising, sending car buyers to the used car lot and forcing many to hold on to their old cars for much longer than they had planned. As a result, there are still many people driving around in vehicles that not only have outdated designs, but also lack many of the amazing safety features found in cars coming off production lines today. But this doesn’t have to be the case for you. Whether your vehicle is two or 20 years old, there are various aftermarket products you can buy to boost safety when driving and make it feel like you’re in a brand new car.
Heads-Up Displays
You may think that it only takes a second to glance at your dashboard and turn on the AC or skip a track on the media player, but that second is enough to make a mistake that may land you in great danger. If you don’t want to keep taking your eyes off the road to look at or press buttons on the dashboard, consider installing a HUD in your car. HUDs were invented for use in jets, allowing pilots to read key information without losing focus on what’s ahead. The technology has trickled down to vehicles and is now standard in some new models. HUDs project all the vital information you usually need when driving into your line of sight – the map, temperature control gauges, media player, and speed – allowing you to keep your eyes on the road. Most HUDs available today have a transparent screen where all the information is projected, while more advanced systems can project the information directly on the windshield.
Rearview cameras
Rearview cameras are a key safety addition to any car, whether you want to make it easier to see out the back or you’re looking to make backing into tight parking spots a piece of cake. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, adding rear view cameras alone reduces backing crash involvement rates by 36 percent. However, for rearview cameras to be of any use, the car must have a clear and conveniently placed display that the driver can see from every possible angle. Some rearview camera systems also double as blindspot monitoring systems, providing a completely unobstructed view of the blind spot so that you always know when it’s safe to switch lanes. Beyond preventing an accident, rearview cameras can also be helpful if you are involved in an accident. FVF Law notes the importance of having an experienced lawyer on your side when you’re involved in a serious accident, but they are more likely to reach a strong settlement if there’s a good amount of evidence. Rearview cameras can be a valuable source of evidence to help you clear your name or seek compensation after an accident.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
ADAS have taken away a lot of the stress involved in driving a car as they can perform some of the roles that drivers have. Aftermarket ADAS typically come with sensors that are installed in various parts of the car to collect safety-related information that is then relayed to the driver in the dashboard display or HUD system. For example, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) can alert you of unindicated or unintended lane departure so that you can quickly get back in your lane. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) alerts you when you are about to hit a vehicle or stationary object ahead so that you can brake or change direction in time to avoid a collision.
Even if you own an old car, you don’t have to miss out on modern technologies that could potentially save your life. With a little research, you can find many aftermarket technologies you can install in your clunker to boost its safety ratings as well as its resale value.
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