Safety isn’t necessarily Jackson Groves’ top priority when he rents a car. He doesn’t ask himself: Did the rental company properly maintain the car? Are there any recalls for the vehicle? Has it been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected?

But Groves says he’s noticed lately that car rental companies are thinking about safety and are taking action on it.

“This summer, I was pleasantly surprised to discover some new safety-focused features that car rental companies seem to be implementing,” he says.

For example, one of his rental cars had a dashboard camera that constantly monitored the road ahead. It could automatically send telematics data to the rental company if he had to brake suddenly or detected a collision. It also had an SOS button that could be used to connect directly to emergency services.

“I felt reassured knowing that if there was a problem, I might be able to call for help at the touch of a button,” says Groves, an outdoor photographer.

If you’re a typical traveler, you probably don’t pay much attention to the safety of your rental car. But Groves is on to something.

Car rental companies really think about safety, and perhaps more systematically than ever before. And there are also some practical steps you can take to ensure you get to your destination safely.

Car rental companies are improving their service standards

It’s true that car rental companies are taking safety more seriously than ever. Take Enterprise Mobility, for example. The company, which owns the Alamo, Enterprise and National brands, has had a standard plan in place for years. The most significant improvement came during the pandemic, when it committed to disinfecting all of its cars with industrial products after each rental.

Enterprise recently introduced a new and more detailed duty of care standard for its rental locations to ensure the maintenance of its vehicles. The standards include a promise to meet or exceed manufacturer guidelines for tire rotations and oil changes and to visually inspect each vehicle before rental.

“Maintaining trust in our brands has always been key to our success,” says Will Withington, senior vice president of North America at Enterprise Mobility. “We are constantly innovating.”

By the way, the SOS button is also becoming more and more popular: At Vamos Rent-A-Car in Costa Rica, drivers can use their cell phones to make emergency calls from their car free of charge.

“We know renters feel safer knowing that one of our agents or emergency services is just a phone call away,” says Alex Villalobos, operations manager at Vamos Rent-A-Car. (Plus, it’s handy to have a phone for emergency calls if you don’t have a plan on your phone in Costa Rica.)

However, experts say that in addition to renting a car from a reputable car rental company, there are other safety-related measures you can take.

How can you tell if your rental car is safe?

Car rental companies may talk more about safety, but how do you know if your next car is safe?

Determine whether the rental car is roadworthy

You can start by checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall database. If your rental car is on the list, ask for another vehicle. Make sure the lights for important functions like battery, brakes and fluid levels are all green. “You also need to make sure the rental car has some emergency items like jumper cables, ice scrapers and a first aid kit,” adds Erin Stender, Campspot’s chief marketing officer.

Conduct your own inspection – and take your time

Do a visual inspection of your car before driving it off the lot. Make note of any damage, such as scratches, dents or dings. “Be sure to get an inspection form with all damages listed before you leave the rental location,” advises Louis DellaPenna, president of United Van Rentals. “Make sure the correct mileage and fuel level are written on the form. Your rental company should give the renter a vehicle condition report with all damages noted on it, as well as the mileage and fuel level.” If the damage is severe or affects road safety, ask for another car.

Get to know your car before you drive

It’s amazing how few rental companies take even a few minutes to familiarize themselves with a new vehicle, says Robert Walden, editor of the auto repair blog Vehicle Freak. “This can lead to misuse or underutilization of these important technologies,” he says. Some renters also miss warning lights or alerts that indicate a safety feature isn’t working properly. “And despite reminders, I still see passengers not buckling their seat belts, which undermines the effectiveness of safety features like airbags,” he adds. In other words, don’t leave your rental car in such a hurry. Take a moment and try to drive the vehicle sensibly, and ask questions if that’s not possible.

These are the real risks of renting a car

For the most part, car rental companies do a pretty good job of keeping their vehicles safe and roadworthy. I occasionally get complaints about dangerous or broken cars, but they’re rare. The real risk may not be what you drive, but where.

“Driving a car abroad can be a risky business,” says Harding Bush, deputy director of security operations at Global Rescue. “In risky countries or regions, you should not drive yourself.”

And where is that? The Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Venezuela top the list of countries with the most traffic accidents. I have lived in several of these high-risk countries and Bush is right. I would not rent a car and drive around in some of these countries for any price.

By the way, the US ranks lower on the list with about 12 deaths per 100,000 drivers. If you want the safest driving experience, try Iceland, Norway or Singapore.

Ultimately, rental car safety is a two-way street. While companies are improving their performance with new technology and strict protocols, it’s still up to you to stay vigilant. Next time you’re at the rental counter, don’t just grab the keys and drive off. Inspect your vehicle and familiarize yourself with your car’s features. Your life could depend on it.