Automotive Journal

Vehicle safety is something of a puzzle for automakers. Improved vehicle safety technology have made cars safer than ever, yet the number of vehicle-related deaths in the U.S. has remained steady at 40 000 fatalities each year. Why haven’t all these new vehicle safety measures made us safer? One company has hypothesized that the problem lies not with the cars, but rather, with the drivers.

New research from Robert Bosch LLC suggests that two out of every three drivers don’t hit the brakes hard enough before an accident. This doesn’t mean the driver wants the accident - it’s simply the nature of the human condition. During an accident, a multitude of things are competing for the driver’s attention, from multiple warning systems going off and distractions from other passengers, to the simple act of processing what’s going on in the surrounding environment. All these combined together can delay the decision-making process a few milliseconds too long, and impair the driver’s ability to hit the brakes fast enough, or with enough force.

The solution, according to Bosch, is a predictive brake-assist technology that will detect an anticipated accident and react by activating the brakes. The system will continuously monitor the surroundings on the road to determine stopping distance. With these calculations constantly running in the car’s computer, the hydraulic brake is properly engaged for full-force braking once an impact is evident.

There are over two-million front-end collisions each year, and while there is no way to know how much the predictive brake-assist system will reduce this number, it’s reasonable to assume it will help in some way. However, there is some argument that this technology will actually hurt safety. The argument is that because drivers will not understand the technology, they will assume the car will do the majority of the braking for them, and will not attempt to stop the car themselves. This argument seems absurd, but should not be discounted completely. More testing should be completed before this type of safety feature is mandated.

Manufacturers are already beginning to develop predictive braking technology into their new vehicles. Some, such as Cadillac, Volvo, Toyota and BMW, are currently experimenting with the technology. Others have implemented the system into their new models. Mercedes-Benz’s SL550 can detect an emergency by sensing the amount of pressure the driver applies to the brake pedal, and reacts by implementing the maximum power boost.

The predictive brake-assist system is just one example of a growing body of technology designed to improve vehicular safety. Another item currently in the works is the lane departure notification system. It uses an electronic eye to detect if the car is driving within the lines. If the vehicle drifts outside the lines, the system will emit an audible warning. This technology will most benefit drivers who may be falling asleep on the road.

Continuing with the notion that drivers themselves may be the greatest safety danger they face, Bosch has proposed adding a sixth star to the current vehicle safety rating system. This new star will rank a vehicle’s accident avoidance systems, such as lane departure notification and predictive brake-assist. It will help consumers evaluate how well a vehicle will help them stay safe on the road, not just how well it will withstand an accident.