What Car?'s top 10 safety gadgets

• What Car? recommends 10 gadgets to improve safety
• All features £100 or less
• Cheapest device could save your life

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What Car? has come up with a list of gadgets that can improve motoring safety for less than £100.

The Department for Transport today published figures showing a drop in the number of people killed on Britain's roads but, by investing in some of these relatively cheap devices, you could lessen your chances of being involved in an accident.

Steve Fowler, group editor of What Car?, said: ‘The best ways to improve safety are free: always wear your seatbelt, prepare properly for journeys and ensure your car is in tip-top condition. Following that, a small investment in some worthwhile gadgets can help keep you and your passengers even safer.’

The top 10 safety gadgets recommended by What Car? should give drivers peace of mind and allow them to concentrate on their driving skills.

• Ice warning gauge It’s often difficult to gauge the outside temperature and whether there’s ice on the road. A digital thermometer with a sensor positioned outside the car and low to the ground can let the driver know if there is ice about. Digital thermometer £17, www.halfords.co.uk

• Parking sensors These easily fitted sensors can help drivers avoid the majority of parking incidents. When the vehicle is approaching a hazard such as another car, a tree or a pedestrian, an alarm sounds in the vehicle. Metasystem SR2 Targa £99.99, www.halfords.co.uk

• Baby monitor It’s easy to get distracted by a baby travelling in the back of the car. This package includes a video camera and LCD screen, and allows the driver to keep an eye on the infant without having to turn around. Car Back Seat Baby Monitor £99.95, www.iviewcameras.co.uk

• Hands-free mobile phone It’s dangerous and illegal to drive using a hand-held mobile phone. There’s no excuse when a basic kit costs from around £5. This system plugs into the cigarette lighter, and includes a holder to keep the phone in place. Pama Clip ‘N’ Go £9.99, www.pama.co.uk

• Air in your spare Getting a puncture is bad enough but it could be even worse if your spare tyre is flat, too. This system allows you to check and top up your spare tyre’s pressure without lifting the boot floor. Pirtek Air in your Spare, expected price £20, www.pirtek.co.uk

• Tyre-pressure gauge Tyres at the wrong pressure can worsen braking performance and cause dangerous blowouts. A digital pressure tester can be kept in the car for easy weekly checks. Deluxe Tyre Pressure Gauge, £15.99, www.halfords.co.uk

• High-visibility bulbs Modern high-intensity bulbs produce a clearer, more natural light, which offers better visibility across a wider area. Super Brilliance xenon bulbs £12.99 each, www.halfords.co.uk

• Emergency kit Keeping an emergency kit in the car is invaluable. Items such as a tow rope, jump leads and a tyre pump could help prevent you being stranded and save on recovery fees. Don’t forget a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher, too. Emergency Breakdown Kit £29.99, www.halfords.co.uk

• Brake lights High-visibility brake lights give the driver behind additional warning and extra time to react and brake if you have to stop suddenly. Ring Brake Light £14.99, from all good car accessory retailers

• Windscreen de-mister Cold mornings mean misted windscreens, and the it can be tempting to drive off before you can see properly. A dashboard-mounted heater can clear your screen in seconds. Summit Ceramic Heater £33, www.summit-auto.com