Car accidents have been around since Karl Benz invented the first car in 1885. Because of this, in this article we are going to take a tour of car safety throughout the years.
One of the first safety measures for the driver was adding the windshield, but this didn't even happen until the 20th century when people began to get frustrated about the insects and rocks that would hit them while they were driving.
Even though the seat belt existed since Karl Benz invented the first car, this safety feature was not modified to have three clipping points until 1958. Did you know that this simple invention has saved more than 100,000 lives in the United States alone? Even if you are not accustomed to using your seatbelt, do it, not only for your safety but because it is the law.
The airbag has also saved numerous lives. This invention was patented in 1971 by Mercedes-Benz with the aim to distribute the impact in case of an accident. Today, most cars have airbags and seatbelts.
Technological advances have created safety systems in vehicles that centuries ago would have seemed like science fiction. One of the most popular is the Electronic Stability Control o ESC. This system allows more stability to the car so that it does not slide in rain, snow or ice by keeping the steering wheel stiff. Even though not all cars have this system, it is very likely that it will become a standard practice for all vehicles in the near future.
And lastly we have rearview mirrors. Even though these have existed since cars were invented at the end of the 19th century, this technology uses mirrors to show the driver if there is another car beside them and even helps the driver evaluate blind spots to avoid accidents that could cause the death of other drivers and pedestrians.
The car has undergone many changes since its inception. At the beginning, cars were thought to be safe just because they were heavy, but with time the car manufacturers have realized that we must take every safety measure possible to ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the road.
At Infinity, we can help keep you safe on the road. Call an agent at 1-800-INFINITY or visit our website to get a Free Auto Quote!