Do you remember the safety features of the cars that were built 25 or more years ago? While car manufacturers did their best to keep drivers safe, when compared to the vehicles of today it is no contest.

Of course, some cars have more safety features than others. You need to keep this in mind when buying a vehicle. Not only will this keep you safe while on the road but it will go a long way in curbing the cost of car insurance.

Here are some of the top safety features to consider:

1. Airbags

It goes without saying that your new car is going to have front airbags. That being said, many vehicles are beginning to offer side airbags (front and rear) as well which are especially important if you have children in the back seats.

Make sure you know how many airbags a car has before making a purchase. Along with this, find out if you have the option to add more airbags. This may not be the most exciting option to pay for, but it will surely come in handy in the event of an accident.

2. Alarm System

This has nothing to do with keeping you safe while you are driving. That being said, it will do a lot for your car when you are not around and theft deterrent systems can also lower your auto insurance rate. Imagine how bad you would feel if you car was stolen. You can do your part in helping avoid this by purchasing a car with an advanced alarm system. With this, a thief will have a very difficult time stealing your car – unless he or she has the key, of course.

3. Seat Belts

Cars have had seat belts for many years. But guess what? Older model vehicles can and sometimes do have damaged or improperly functioning belts. This safety feature does you no good unless it works and you take advantage of it. Before buying a late model vehicle make sure all seat belts are functioning properly and are not worn.

4. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

It was not so long ago that cars were not equipped with an anti-lock braking system. Fortunately, the industry has changed for the better and all new cars now offer this feature.

ABS prevents the wheels from locking by applying intermittent pressure during braking. This comes in handy when trying to stop in a hurry, especially on slippery roads. Anybody who drives in the snow is well aware that ABS comes in handy time and time again. Best yet, you don’t have to do any work in order to take advantage of this safety feature. The car does everything for you.  Again, if you are considering a used vehicle this is a feature to keep high on the priority list.

5. Rear Parking Camera/Sensor

Many drivers run into trouble the second they put their car in reverse. For this reason, more and more vehicles are coming equipped with a rear parking camera or sensor.

With this, you will hear a beeping signal should an object be in the path of your car when backing up. Even better, if your vehicle is equipped with a rear-parking camera you will be able to see behind your car by simply glancing at the screen on your dashboard.

Note: although a growing number of cars are coming standard with rear parking assist, in most this is still an option. Are you willing to pay the extra money for the safety?

If the vehicle you are considering doesn’t have a rear camera there are plenty of after market options to consider.

When shopping for a new or used car, you need to think about more than the appearance and gas mileage. You should spend a lot of time focused on the safety features of the vehicle.

While the five safety features detailed above may seem like an after thought to some they are extremely important. If you have all these in your car, you can enhance the safety of your passengers as well as those around you.