Vehicle safety features, such as cameras and sensors, were once reserved for the luxury models. Nowadays, they often come standard. However, if you’re the proud owner of an older vehicle or a base model, there are still a multitude of aftermarket additions that will make your car significantly safer on the roads. By investing in a few vehicle safety upgrades, it can mean fewer repair bills, less insurance hassles and could even save a life.

Here are our top picks

Dash Cams

Dash cams (or dashboard cameras) are becoming increasingly popular. And with good reason! They are easy to install and provide the owner with a host of benefits. Dash cams can provide first-hand evidence of car accidents. If a car crash took place and your vehicle was involved, you can prove that it was not your fault because you have the dash cam footage as evidence. This way, the other party will be held responsible for the accident and will be obliged to pay for your own car repairs. Without the video evidence, the other driver may claim that the fault was entirely yours – it happens!  Dash cams can also prevent insurance fraud, assist in reporting reckless and irresponsible drivers and catch vandals or thieves in the act. From a commercial perspective, they are particularly useful for driving instructors, taxi and bus drivers and police officers. Modern dash cams also come with a host of added features, such as GPS tracking and speed tracking.

Reversing Cameras

It’s not always possible to see everything behind your vehicle using mirrors alone. This is what makes reversing cameras an invaluable addition to your vehicle. Tragically, a child is hurt in a driveway-reversing incident every week in Australia, according to the Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety in Queensland (CARRS-Q). While an aftermarket reversing camera installation might set you back a few hundred dollars, it could help you avoid parking-lot collisions or, more importantly, save a life.

Parking Sensors

Damage to your car or other property is expensive and can be avoided simply by installing parking sensors. Parking sensors detect unsafe distances between your car and objects around it, and will beep to alert you. They don’t detect moving traffic, but will definitely help you avoid hitting parked cars, poles or low barrier walls.

Hands-free vehicle head unit

Anything that allows hands-free operation is a good thing when you’re operating a vehicle. From turning up the volume on your favourite tune, to navigating your way around unknown territories – upgrading the head unit on your vehicle can help you spend less time pressing buttons and glancing at maps, and more time keeping your eyes on the road. A new head-unit can provide you with better visibility and voice-activation of your controls, as well as integrating seamlessly with your smart phone. It’s a small investment and makes the driving experience a whole lot safer (not to mention convenient).

Whilst many aftermarket vehicle safety upgrades are advertised as DIY, it’s always a good idea to take your car to a licensed installer if you’re not sure what to do. It will not only save you time, but also ensure you are getting the right integration for your car make and model, along with the added peace-of-mind that it is installed correctly. The Motor Vision team specialize in a wide range of aftermarket vehicle safety upgrades, including dash cams, state-of-the-art hands-free vehicle head units, parking sensors and reversing cameras. Give us a call to discuss your vehicle requirements so we can tailor a safety upgrade plan unique for your lifestyle and needs.