Basic Safety Features:
* Seatbelts: While seatbelts were available in some cars, they were not mandatory until 1968 in the US. Even then, they were often optional extras.
* Steering Wheel: Early cars often had hard, unpadded steering wheels that could cause serious injury in a crash.
* Headlights: Headlights were less powerful than modern ones, and most cars didn't have high beam indicators.
* Windshield: Windshields were often made of laminated glass, which was less shatter-resistant than tempered glass used today.
Missing Features:
* Airbags: Airbags were not invented until the late 1960s and were not widely adopted until the 1990s.
* Anti-lock brakes (ABS): ABS was first introduced in the late 1970s and didn't become common until the 1990s.
* Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC, which helps prevent skids and rollovers, didn't become widely available until the 2000s.
* Side Impact Protection: Cars often had little to no side impact protection.
* Crush Zones: Early cars lacked the crumple zones that modern vehicles have to absorb impact energy.
* Rearview Mirrors: These were often small and poorly positioned, providing limited visibility.
Other Considerations:
* Vehicle Construction: Cars were built with lighter materials and less robust frames compared to modern cars.
* Road Conditions: Roads were often poorly maintained, increasing the risk of accidents.
* Traffic Density: Traffic volumes were lower, leading to less congested roads.
In summary, old cars offered very little in terms of safety features, and even basic features were often not standard. This significantly increased the risk of injury and death in accidents.
It's important to note that the specific safety features available on a particular car varied depending on the make, model, and year. If you're interested in the safety features of a specific car, you can search for its owner's manual or consult vintage car forums for more information.
