A Roomster with a view

HOW do you maximize your chances of survival in a vehicle crash? The best way is to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and, if you're in the market for a new car, to choose wisely.

Anti-lock brakes were rare 15 years ago and multiple airbags in small cars were almost unknown just five years ago.

And the life-saving vehicle control system, electronic stability control, was only available on selected luxury cars.

These three items, together with seat belts and crumple-rate design for the car body, rate as the most important of life-saving technology.

If you buy a new car, ensure that all these features are fitted - either standard or optional. If extra airbags and ESC are optional, spend the extra $1500 to $3000.

Here's a brief look at the technology designed to help you survive a crash. Of course, the best-equipped vehicle will be of reduced benefit when a driver's skill is impaired.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)

Prevents any wheel from locking up on wet or dry surfaces to avoid skidding. Skidding diminishes traction and dilutes vehicle control to dangerous levels, especially on a wet road, while dramatically increasing braking distances. In operation, the driver will feel a pulsing action from the brake pedal indicating ABS is working.

AIRBAGS

Also called supplementary restraint systems (SRS), so clearly they are to be used with the seat belt. Little benefit comes with airbags alone. Most passenger cars have a minimum of two airbags (driver and passenger), though more frequently there are six (front, side and curtain). The more airbags, the greater chance of reducing injury and possibly death.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Also known as ESP, DSC, VSC and VDC, this minimizes wheelspin and the chances of a vehicle sliding, rolling or tipping by monitoring various vehicle functions. For example, it checks steering-wheel angle against body lean, theoretical trajectory with actual trajectory, accelerator pressure and other factors. If it detects any unusual factor, it will slow the vehicle by automatically braking a wheel (or wheels) and reducing engine power. In the case of a car sliding on a wet left-hand bend, ESC will brake right-hand wheels, reduce engine power and control the ABS to ensure no wheel slip as the car is decelerating. It requires no driver input.

CRASH RATING

Most vehicles have a rating awarded by independent testing organisations. In Australia, it's ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) and EuroCAP for European caretakers. The rating offers a maximum of five stars. Many new cars have five-star ratings and buyers should place priority on these models. The rating is for how the car protects its occupants in front, side and offset crashes.