The number of children dying in car accidents dropped over 40% between 2002 and 2011, according to a new CDC report. There are a number of reasons that the figure has declined, but new safety features seem to have played the biggest role. Parents should be aware of the safety features available in new vehicles to keep their children safe.

Car manufacturers have come up with new features to make vehicles safer. Here are some of the best add-ons that you should consider when buying a new car like this one.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Cruise control was first developed in 1948. It made driving much easier and more convenient for people driving on the highway for long distances. However, changes in traffic patterns often made it unsafe.

Fortunately, cruise control technology has evolved in recent years. You can find adaptive cruise control systems that will change your vehicle’s speed to match traffic. This will significantly reduce the risk of accidents if you suddenly run into a lot of traffic congestion.

Tire Pressure Monitors

You are much more likely to have a blowout if your tire pressure drops below 20 psi. Unfortunately, it is difficult to keep track of it, because tire pressure levels can drop very quickly. The good news is that there are a lot of new tire pressure monitoring devices that can help you tell when they need to be inflated.

Forward and Backup Collision Avoidance Devices

Many new cars also have auditory and visual sensors to detect when you are getting too close to a car in front of you. These can alert you to slow down and increase the following distance. Similar sensors can be used to help detect when you are about to hit something while backing up.

Lane Departure Warnings

Even the best drivers sometimes drift from one lane to another. This tends to happen most often when they are making a wide turn, traveling at a high speed or unusually tired. Most people notice and correct the mistake, but they may not notice if they are especially fatigued or distracted. This can be especially dangerous if you and an oncoming vehicle both start to drift towards the median at the same time.

You may want to buy a car that has a lane departure system. These systems will let you know when you are drifting into the other lane so that you can correct the mistake without causing an accident.

Cameras to Reduce Blind Spots

Many people get into accidents because they can’t see other vehicles or objects in their blind spots. Many vehicle manufacturers have developed new cameras to help people minimize their blind spots.