Top 5 Safety Features to Look for in Your First Car

When buying your first car – or a car for a new driver – it’s tempting to focus on looks, tech, and price. But safety should always come first. With so many advancements in vehicle safety over recent years, even used cars can offer a range of life-saving features that are crucial for young or inexperienced drivers.

If you’re in the market for a first car, here are five essential safety features you should prioritise to help protect yourself and your passengers on the road.

1. Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

AEB is a must-have feature for any first car. Using cameras and/or radar, the system detects objects or slower vehicles ahead and can automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t react in time.

While AEB isn’t a guarantee that a collision will be avoided, it can significantly reduce the severity of an impact – particularly in rear-end crashes, which are common for inexperienced drivers.

2. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA)

These two systems work together to keep the car in its lane and alert the driver if they begin to drift.

• Lane Departure Warning issues a visual or audible alert when the car unintentionally strays from its lane.
• Lane Keep Assist actively steers the car back into the lane if the driver doesn’t respond.

These systems are particularly valuable on higher-speed regional roads, where fatigue or distraction can lead to dangerous lane drifting or run-off-road crashes.

3. Reversing Camera

A reversing camera provides a clear view of what’s directly behind the vehicle, reducing the risk of collisions with objects, other vehicles, or even pedestrians – especially small children in driveways.

This technology has been shown to reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 41 per cent, according to research from Monash University.

For used cars without a factory-fitted camera, the good news is that reversing cameras can be retrofitted relatively cheaply, often for just a few hundred dollars.

4. Side Curtain Airbags

Most drivers know about front airbags, but side curtain airbags are just as important – if not more so – especially in side-impact crashes.

These airbags deploy from the roof lining to form a protective cushion between occupants and the side of the car, significantly reducing the risk of head injuries.

With side-impact crashes accounting for around 22 per cent of serious crashes, side curtain airbags are a vital feature to look for when choosing a first car.

5. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC, also known by various names such as VSC, DSC or ESP, is one of the most critical safety features you can have.

It continuously monitors the vehicle’s direction and the driver’s intended steering angle. If the car starts to skid or lose control, ESC can automatically apply individual brakes to help bring the vehicle back under control.

ESC has been mandatory on all new passenger vehicles sold in Australia for over a decade, but it’s still essential to check for it when buying a used car – especially for young drivers.

Whether it's wet weather, gravel roads, or sudden swerves, ESC helps prevent loss-of-control crashes, which are common among inexperienced drivers.

Safety First – Every Time

Dr David Young, Manager of Vehicle Safety, Innovation and Technology at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), recommends checking the How Safe Is Your Car website (howsafeisyourcar.com.au) when shopping for a first car. This resource can show whether a particular model is equipped with these essential safety features, helping you make an informed, safety-first decision.

Find a Safe First Car at Tynan

At Tynan Motors, we understand that safety is a top priority when choosing a first car. Our expert team can help you find a safe, reliable, and affordable vehicle with these critical safety features – giving you confidence every time you hit the road.

Visit us at Tynan Motors in Kirrawee, Albion Park, or Wollongong, or browse our range online to find the perfect first car that’s big on safety and value.

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: CarSales.com.au