Automobiles Review

Tag: Safety

  • Volvo cars safety experts say: use technology to support drivers and reduce distraction

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    The rise of smartphones and touchscreens inside cars has sparked a growing debate around the dangers of distraction behind the wheel. But Volvo Cars safety experts say that distraction is a fact of life, and that technology should be used to support people in their daily commute.

    The company’s own safety research and behavioural science work suggests that when used correctly, modern technology inside the car can actively reduce distraction, boost road safety and help people to be better and more focused drivers.

    “It is easy to think that phones and screens are the only scourge of the modern driver, but life as a whole is distracting,” said Malin Ekholm, Head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “We know people do not get distracted on purpose, but it happens. You could be late for daycare and somewhat stressed, or you get behind the wheel after a bad day at work – all this affects you as a driver.”

    Malin Ekholm made these and other remarks during a special Volvo-organised webcast around safety this week. During this first Volvo Studio Talk, which can be viewed on demand HERE, she and other safety advocates discussed distraction and several other pressing road safety issues.

    Some would say that from a distraction point of view, a car from the 1940s is safer than today’s cars – after all, it does not contain a screen, phone connectivity or even a radio. But that is not how today’s drivers and society operate.

    “The reality is that people want to engage with friends, family, work and entertainment, and everyone responds differently to distraction,” said Malin Ekholm. “So we want to meet our customers where they are, not where we want them to be. That is why our focus is on using technology in the right way, so we can use it to help you stay safe behind the wheel.”

    Volvo Cars actively uses technology to combat the dangers of distraction and build some of the safest cars on the road. For example, its active safety systems with autobrake and steer assist are designed to be on guard to help drivers if they lose concentration or are distracted for a split-second.

    Inside the cabin of the new XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, an advanced voice control on Volvo Cars’ new Android-powered infotainment system allows drivers to control the temperature, set a destination, play their favourite music and podcasts or call their mum on her birthday – all while keeping their hands on the wheel.

    “Being able to control key features on your Volvo by voice allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road,” said Malin Ekholm. “Active safety systems such as City Safety, Run-off Road Mitigation and Oncoming Lane Mitigation with Steer Assist can act as an extra pair of eyes watching over you.”

    Volvo Cars believes that distraction should also be addressed via in-car cameras and other sensors that monitor the driver. With such technologies, if a clearly distracted (or intoxicated) driver does not respond to warning signals and risks a serious, potentially lethal accident, the car could intervene.

    That intervention could involve limiting the car’s speed, alerting the Volvo on Call assistance service and, as a last resort, actively slowing down and safely parking the car. Volvo Cars plans to start introducing these cameras on the next generation of Volvo’s scalable SPA2 vehicle platform.

  • Volvo XC90 Scored Incredible Results at the 2015 Euro NCAP Tests

    Volvo XC90 managed to reach the maximum of five stars and achieved top ratings in the 2015 Euro NCAP tests. The well-known brand with its latest XC90 model which comes with standard City Safety technology stood out as the first car from any manufacturer and any other mode to reach the full points in the Euro NCAP Autonomous Emergency Braking Car to Car rear-end tests (AEB City & AEB Interurban).

    Furthermore, the XC90 model marked and one hundred per cent in the Safety Assist category and it is even the first model to achieve maximum score in the two Autonomous Emergency Braking tests AEB City & AEB Interurban. The latest Volvo model has gone through numerous complex tests and experiments to deliver that advanced level of pedestrian protection and functionality. Surely the Swedish carmaker continues its domination when it comes to safety and innovative ideas.

    Furthermore, Volvo Car’s long held Vision 2020 the Swedish manufacturer now focuses on the idea to deliver vehicles in which no one will be killed or seriously injured by the year 2020. And with the latest XC90 and its astonishing marks and safety stats this idea does not look that far or that unrealistic. After all, we are dealing with the notorious Swedish desire for quality and perfection.

    Source: Volvo

     

  • How To Pack Your Luggage: Some Safety Tips

    So, we all know what we have to do before we go out for our vacation: put on our seatbelts, ensure safety for the children and numerous more. But many of us fail to observe some important, yet underestimated safety rules. Especially when it comes to luggage.

    When  you use vehicles with big baggage volume, it is tempting to stow away pieces of cargo randomly. What we fail to understand is that there are some nice safety tips, that can even save a life, when it comes to placing luggage in vehicle. Remember: heavy items should go to the bottom of the trunk and should be pushed tight against the back seat. Why? Because, for example a full case of water weights 17 liters. In crash these 17 liters will turn into a half a ton of weight, banging into the back seat. In order to prevent some unpleasant games with physics, place the heaviest stuff in the bottom. And this is not all: they must be kept from sliding backward by means of other pieces of baggage or tie-downs. If not, everything could come crashing forward during the in the event of a sudden braking maneuver or an accident.

    The lighter items as sports bags, beach mats and rubber boats must be stowed in a way, that fills up the empty space around the heaviest items. And you should avoid packing above the line of the back seats. This is because when you suddenly stop, or in accident these items can fly ahead and injure passengers. It is also advisable to use the baggage with cargo straps. And if there are no passengers on the back, the rear seatbelts should be closed crosswise in order to give the back seat additional stability.

    Do not forget: the warning triangle, warning vest and the first-aid-kit must be stowed in a place, where they can be easily reached at any time!

    Two more tips for safe vacation driving: Because of the heavier load, tire pressure has to be adjusted. Also, the weight in the rear of the car lifts the front. In order to avoid the headlights from thus blind oncoming traffic at night, the beam has to be adjusted accordingly. Only in the entry-level Captiva, however: All other Captiva models feature an automatic leveling system on the rear axle.

  • Opel Cars Can See: Opel Eye camera reads signs, improves safety

    Opel introduces a first: A camera that aids drivers in two different ways. The Traffic Sign Recognition function reads speed limit and no-passing signs and displays them on the instrument panel. The Lane Departure Warning alerts drivers when they unintentionally veer out of their lane. Together, these two systems improve driving safety, reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets. (more…)