When purchasing a car, drivers are often wooed by the “smart features” that the car provides or by its fuel efficiency. While these features can be interesting and even important, safety considerations should be at the forefront of your car-buying decision. Here are some tips on choosing a safe car. Know the vehicle’s crashworthiness. The IIHS offers crash test ratings for vehicles that show how well the features of the vehicle you’re considering hold up in accidents, as well as crash avoidance and mitigation features that are available on specific makes and models. Look at the vehicle’s structural design. As explained by the Insurance Information (III) Institute, a good structural design features both a strong occupant compartment and front and rear ends designed to crumple in a crash to reduce damage to the occupant compartment. Consider the vehicle’s restraint systems. The seat belts, airbags, and head restraints are intended to work with the vehicle’s structure to protect the occupants. Lap and shoulder belts should have crash tensioners that react quickly to remove belt slack, keeping the rider’s body from being thrust forward. The steering column should be located far from the occupant’s body to avoid airbag injuries during a crash. Side airbags and locking head restraints can stabilize the occupant’s head and neck during a crash. Anti-lock brakes are an important safety feature, but just as important is the ability to know how to use them properly, as they require hard, continuous pressure. Look for vehicles that have an automatic crash notification system. If your car is involved in an accident, this system can alert 911 and send responders important information about the crash. In addition to choosing a safe car, drivers can also enhance their safety when traveling by avoiding using certain technology when operating the vehicle. For example, many vehicle infotainment systems that provide GPS allow the driver to input an address into the system while the car is moving. When the driver is doing this, they’re not looking at the road. Remember that the smartest and most important safety system in a vehicle is a driver with eyes on the road, hands positioned on the wheel, and thoughts focused on driving safely. If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an experienced car accident attorney for a free case evaluation.