Car safety technology

Plain guides to your car's safety features, what they do and where they fall short

Today’s cars can warn you, brake for you and even help you steer. This page brings together our guides on what these safety features do, where they fall short and how to keep them working after a repair. You will also find guides on air bags, electric vehicles and buying a safer car.

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I want to know my car's featuresEmergency braking, lane alerts and blind spot warningsSee these guidesI'm buying a carRecalls, used car checks and a safe first carSee these guidesMy car was just repairedCamera and sensor checks, scans and air bagsSee these guidesI drive an electric or hybrid carBattery safety, floods and high voltage partsSee these guidesI have a new teen driverTeen modes, driver aids and monitoring toolsSee these guidesI manage a fleetFleet vehicles, cameras and telematicsSee the fleet guides

Driver assistance and automation

Driver assistance can help you stay in your lane and keep a safe gap, but you are still the driver. Learn what each level of automation means and how to use these systems without losing focus.

Start hereADAS and partial automation: how to use Level 2 systems safelyWhat Level 2 systems can do, where they fail and when to take back controlRead the guideAutomated driving vs. driver assistance: who is really driving?How driver assistance differs from automated driving and who is responsible at each levelRead the guideAdaptive cruise control: how to set the gap, use stop and go and respect its limitsChoose a safe gap setting, handle traffic jams and keep your attention on the roadRead the guideLane keeping assist and lane centering: how steering help works and where it failsWhy the safety gains are modest and how to set up and supervise steering helpRead the guideSpeed alerts and intelligent speed assistance: how they work and how to use themWhy speed alerts cut speeding, when the limit is wrong and how to set them upRead the guideHands free, voice and touchscreen distraction: how to lower your riskHow voice commands and touchscreens load your mind and eyes, and how to cut the riskRead the guideSelf driving cars and robotaxisPlain guides to what automated driving can do today and who is really in controlSee the hub

Crash warning and braking systems

These systems watch the road and can warn you or brake when a crash is close. Each one has limits, such as darkness, bad weather and dirty sensors. Learn what to expect before you rely on them.

Start hereAutomatic emergency braking: how it decides to brake, its limits and the 2029 ruleLearn where AEB falls short, how to pick a strong system and what FMVSS 127 changesRead the guideForward collision warning: how it works, its limits and what to do when it soundsLearn what triggers an alert, how to set it up and how to respond in timeRead the guidePedestrian and cyclist detection braking: what it misses and why night is its hardest testHow night, turns and cyclists test these systems, and how to choose a strong oneRead the guideBlind spot warning and intervention: how they work, their limits and how to choose oneWhat these systems catch, what they miss and how to keep the sensors workingRead the guideLane departure warning: how it reads the road, where it struggles and how to use itHow to set the alerts, read their limits and respond when your car driftsRead the guideRear cross traffic warning and rear automatic braking: what they catch and what they missWhat IIHS research and tests found, and why neither system reliably sees peopleRead the guideAntilock brakes and electronic stability control: how they work and what the lights meanLearn to brake hard with ABS, read each warning light and keep both systems workingRead the guide

Cameras, sensors, lights and alerts

Cameras, sensors and smart headlights help you see more around your car. Other systems watch for drowsiness, low tires or a child left in the back seat, and some can call for help after a crash.

Start hereBackup and surround view cameras: what the federal rule covers and what the screen missesHow to read the camera picture, keep it clean and still check behind youRead the guideParking proximity sensors: what the beeps mean, what they miss and how to use them wellHow the sensors work, why beeps get ignored and how to test your system’s rangeRead the guideAdaptive headlights and automatic high beams: what research shows and how to chooseHow each lighting feature works, why trim matters and how to use them at nightRead the guideDriver fatigue and attention monitors: how they work and what to do when one warns youWhat drowsiness alerts catch, what they miss and why the right response is to restRead the guideTire pressure monitoring systems: direct vs. indirect, warning lights and TPMS limitsHow direct and indirect systems work, what they miss and how to keep yours workingRead the guideRear seat reminders and child detection systems: how they work and what they missSee which alerts guess and which sense, how to test yours and where the rule standsRead the guideAutomatic crash notification and SOS: how your car calls for help and how to check itLearn whether your car’s emergency call system is active and how to keep it workingRead the guide

Air bags, seat belts and head restraints

Air bags, seat belts and head restraints have their own page, with guides on fit, care and what to check after a crash.

Seat belts and air bagsPlain guides for seat belts, air bags and keeping every passenger buckled in rightSee the hub

Electric and hybrid vehicles

Our EV and hybrid owners page covers high voltage battery safety, jump starting a hybrid, buying a used EV and what to do after a flood or crash.

EV and hybrid ownersPlain guides for electric and hybrid car owners, including floods and crashesSee the hubEV weight, tires and braking: what drivers should knowHow battery weight changes tire wear, stopping, crash forces and the way you driveRead the guide

Keep safety systems working after a repair

After a crash repair or a new windshield, cameras and sensors may need to be checked and calibrated. These guides explain which checks to ask for and why a dashboard with no warning lights is not proof that everything works.

Start hereWhy cameras and sensors need checks after crash repairsWhy cameras and sensors need calibration after crash repairsRead the guideWindshield replacement and forward camera calibration: why new glass can shift the aimWhen new glass needs calibration, what to ask the shop and which signs to watch forRead the guidePre repair and post repair scans: what they find and why a clean dashboard is not proofWhat diagnostic scans read before and after a repair and how to get the reportsRead the guideBumper and grille repairs can affect radar and parking sensors: what to ask the shopHow filler, paint and bent brackets can weaken sensors and what proof to requestRead the guideWheel alignment and steering sensor calibration after a collision: straight is not proofHow alignment angles and steering sensors connect, and which repair records to keepRead the guideAir bags and seat belts need checks before you drive againWhy air bags and seat belts need checks after a crash before you driveRead the guideSeat belt pretensioners: how to tell if yours fired and what replacement involvesSigns a pretensioner fired, a home belt check and what a proper repair includesRead the guideSafe drive away time after a new windshield: why finished is not the same as readyWhy the adhesive needs time, what changes the wait and what to ask your installerRead the guide

Buying a safer car

Before you buy, check for open recalls and make sure past repairs left the safety systems working. Our car shopping and ratings pages bring those guides together.

Car shopping: safe used and new carsPlain guides for choosing a safe car and checking a used car before you buySee the hubVehicle safety standards, ratings and recallsPlain guides to recalls, federal safety rules and the ratings and labels that matterSee the hubCrash test ratings explained: how to read NHTSA stars and IIHS awardsWhat government stars and insurance industry awards measure and how to compare carsRead the guide

Teen settings and driving data

Many cars have teen driver modes, and apps can show how a new driver is doing. Your car may also record data that matters after a crash.

Start hereFactory teen driver settings: what teen modes do, how to set them up and their limitsFind your car’s teen settings, set them up early and read the reports wiselyRead the guideDriver assistance technology for new drivers: what it can and can't doWhat each system does, where it falls short and how new drivers can learn it safelyRead the guideTeen driver monitoring: how to use telematics to coach, not spyWhat driving apps really measure, how to coach with the data and how to protect privacyRead the guideBeyond the black box: connected car and telematics records after a serious crashWhat connected cars, apps and phones may record, who holds it and how to save itRead the guide

More to read

Want to read more? Browse every driver assistance guide in our library, or see our guides for vehicle repairs and total loss.

Browse car technology guidesVehicle repair guides

These guides offer general education, not mechanical or legal advice. Features differ by make, model and year, so check your owner’s manual or ask your dealer. Driver assistance does not replace an alert driver.

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Safe Driving Resource Center

Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.

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