Studies show that up to 90% of all traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction and, based on these high statistics; Volvo is introducing a world-first technology, the Driver
Alert Control (DAC) as well as a Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system.
DAC monitors the progress of the car on the road by using a camera while sensors register the car's movements. This information is sent to the control unit, which then calculates whether the driver is at risk of losing control of the car.
If the risk is assessed as high, the driver is alerted via an audible signal, while a text message and coffee cup symbol appear in the car’s information display to urge the driver to take a break. Why not have a Kit Kat sign as well?
LDW uses the camera to monitor the car’s position between the road markings and gives a gentle warning sound if the car crosses one of the road markings without reason. I would have thought is should be a loud bellowing noise to alert the sleepy driver.
Volvo have also invented Auto Brake that automatically activates the brakes when a rear-end collision is imminent and Distance Alert .. to help the driver maintain a steady distance to the vehicle in front.
I am not being cynical and welcome new safety ideas, but I do wonder if some of these innovations are turning us drivers into robotic dummies. What exactly are we supposed to do in the car with all these aids doing the work for us? I guess we continue to pick our noses. At least it will pass away the miles of doing nothing.
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet