While many safety features have generic names, vehicle manufacturers can use a variety of different trade names. To make life a little more confusing, these terms often appear as initials only. Here are 20 of the most common, with a quick rundown of how they help to keep you safer on the road.

• ABS: Anti-lock Braking System – prevents wheels from locking and allows you some control over steering under heavy braking.
• ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control – monitors and maintains the distance from the vehicle in front.
• AEB: Autonomous Emergency Braking – warns you of an impending frontal collision, and applies brakes if you don’t respond.
• AHR: Active Head Restraints – designed to reduce the risk of neck injuries in rear impacts.
• BA or BAS: Brake Assist – helps you apply the full force of the brakes in emergency conditions.
• BLIS: Blind Spot Information System – uses a camera to monitor the car’s blind spot and alerts you if a road user is present.
• DSC: Dynamic Stability Control – see ESC.
• EBA: Emergency Brake Assist – see BA.
• EBD: Electronic Brake-force Distribution – balances the braking force applied to each wheel for stability while braking.
• ESC: Electronic Stability Control – helps to stabilise the car and reduce the chance of skidding by braking individual wheels.
• ESP: Electronic Stability Program – see ESC.
• ETC: Electronic Traction Control – detects and prevents wheel spinning during a vehicle's acceleration.
• ICC: Intelligent Cruise Control – see ACC.
• LDWS: Lane Departure Warning System – sensors alert you if the car is drifting out of the lane.
• SBR: Seat Belt Reminder system – uses an alarm to alert the vehicle occupants that a seat belt is not fastened.
• SRP: System for Restraint and Protection – another name for airbags (designed to supplement seatbelts not replace them).
• SRS: Supplementary Restraint System – another name for airbags (designed to supplement seatbelts not replace them).
• TPMS: Tyre Pressure Monitoring System – alerts you of a significant decrease in tyre pressure.
• TRC: Traction Control – detects and prevents wheel spinning during a car’s acceleration – see ETC.
• VSC or VSCS: Vehicle Stability Control Systems – see ESC.
• WHIPS: Whiplash Protection System – works by moving the seatback together with the driver in a rear end collision.
• WIL: Whiplash Injury Lessening – a seatback designed to deform in a controlled manner to reduce the risk of whiplash.