Safety first for roadster ride





When it comes to sports cars, even those drivers with a need for speed are starting to brake for safety.

An estimated 34,000 people are killed in auto crashes in the United States each year. Whereas sports cars are most often associated with sleek exteriors and hip convertible tops, some of today’s roadsters offer the most sophisticated, reliable safety features on the market to ensure they drive as good as they look.

Safety has two sides, passive and active. Passive safety provides protection at the time of a collision. It begins with a chassis designed to properly absorb an impact and further protect occupants with two important features: dual front and side airbags and a protective safety bar, necessary should a rollover accident occur.

Active safety helps to avoid a collision. It also begins with a well-conceived chassis and can be greatly enhanced by the intelligent application of modern technology, such as anti-lock disc brakes for increased stability; an Electronic Stability Control System, which takes over if a car’s sensors detect a loss of control; and horsepower to help the driver accelerate away from danger. Balance is also important, with the weight ideally being distributed evenly between the front and rear, giving the car maximum agility.

There are certain questions to consider when shopping for a sports car.

•Does the car offer consistent and predictable handling, which can help avoid an accident?

•Does the car have big disc brakes front and rear to provide short stopping distances?

•Does the car have a safety bar and a wind blocker to reduce wind noise?

•Are the seats comfortable and will they hold passengers in place in tight turns?

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *