Article Advise

submitted: Jul 17th 2008 | by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 523 | |

Vehicle safety is a puzzling issue for automakers. Despite improvements in vehicle safety measures, vehicle-related fatalities in the U.S. have stayed the same over the years, with about 40 000 deaths a year. Why are fatalities continuing at the same level despite technology which makes cars safer? One suggestion is that it's not unsafe cars that are responsible for these deaths - it's the unsafe drivers behind the wheel.

Robert Bosch LLC has come out with new research that found two out of three drivers don't hit the brakes with enough force just before an accident. This isn't because the driver wants the accident - it's because the overload of information and stimuli, from multiple warning systems, distracting passengers, and the mental load of processing events on the road, all compete for mental resources, and slow down the decision-making process by a few vital milliseconds. The result is the driver hitting the brakes just a moment too late, or not quite hard enough.

Bosch's solution is to implement a predictive brake-assist technology which prevents accidents by detecting, then reacting to possible accidents by activating the brakes. The technology monitors the traffic around the vehicle continuously, and determines stopping distance. The ongoing function of this technology in the vehicle's computer prepares the hydraulic brake for full-force braking when an accident is imminent.

Although there's not enough research yet to know for sure, it's reasonable to think the predictive brake-assist technology will be useful in preventing some of the over 2 million front-end collisions that occur every year. However, some argue that this technology might actually decrease safety, because drivers might not fully understand how the system works and erroneously believe it will do most of the braking for them. They then might not try to stop the car themselves, increasing their risk of accident. This argument seems inane, but shouldn't be completely dismissed. More research and testing are needed before this system can be made mandatory.

Some manufacturers have already begun using predictive braking technology in their vehicles. Mercedes-Benz, for example, uses the system in their SL550 model. The car is able to sense an emergency based on the amount of pressure the driver uses on the brake, and then applies the maximum power boost. Other manufacturers, such as Toyota, Cadillac, BMW and Volvo are experimenting with adding the technology to their future lines.

The predictive brake-assist technology is only one new electronic system to improve automotive safety. In addition to Bosch's proposed predictive brake assist technology, there's also something called "lane departure notification." Simply stated, lane departure notification uses an electric eye to determine if the car is driving outside the lines. This system would most benefit drivers who may be falling asleep, as driving outside the lane will trigger an audible warning.

In keeping with the idea that drivers themselves can be a safety issue, Bosch has also proposed modifying current vehicle safety ratings to include a sixth star. The sixth star will be used to rank a vehicle's accident avoidance systems, such as predictive braking and lane departure notification. It's a good way for consumers to compare a vehicle's complete safety rating, rather than just its crashworthiness.

About the Author

Author Jason Lancaster, a car industry veteran, developed AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate auto advice and tips for buying a car.

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