Modern cars are safer than ever but the reality is that we are never completely secure on the road. Driving in a careful, measured fashion will reduce your chances of an accident, but there’s never any telling as to what other road users will do and, although it’s a scary thought, it pays to be prepared for the worst on the road.

On the plus side, today’s cars are better equipped to handle, and even avoid accidents than models from years gone by. Features such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability programmes (ESP) and ISOFIX child-seat mounts are now mandatory equipment for new cars. Other technologies such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-departure warning systems are not legal requirements, but they are becoming more and more common.