| Volvo has been at the forefront of developing efficient | | | | same situation. Those sensors deliver the information |
| technologies which will offer safety to their customers. | | | | to the control unit, where the code will then be |
| Considering the results of recent studies where it | | | | calculated as to know whether the driver is at risk of |
| results showed that as much as 90 per cent of all | | | | getting out of control while driving. |
| traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction, | | | | If the computer measures the risk as high, an audible |
| Volvo is once again upgrading safety in its vehicles by | | | | signal will alert the driver. For minor distractions, a text |
| helping a driver avoid or even just reduce the severity | | | | message and coffee cup symbol will appear in the |
| of accidents caused by distraction or fatigue through | | | | car's information display, imposing that the driver needs |
| the development of a world-first technology. | | | | to take a break. Consistency of driving is accessed |
| Earlier this September, Volvo revealed its Driver Alert | | | | through bars displayed, where five bars in the starting |
| Control (DAC) together with a Lane Departure | | | | and fewer if driving is held less consistent. |
| Warning (LDW) system at the Frankfurt Motor Show. | | | | Daniel Levin, project manager for Driver Alert Control |
| It is what Volvo claims as the world-first technology to | | | | at Volvo Cars, said, "It is, of course, always the driver's |
| alert tired or distracted drivers. By the end of this year, | | | | responsibility to take a break when necessary, but |
| the two systems will be made available as an optional | | | | sometimes you might not realize that you're not alert |
| feature priced at £500 on the all-new Volvo V70. | | | | enough to drive. In such situations, Driver Alert Control |
| According to a spokesperson at the Volvo Cars | | | | can help the driver make the right decision before the |
| Safety Center, "Real life safety is the key to out | | | | concentration level becomes too low." He implies that |
| safety philosophy. When it comes to preventative | | | | the system will just be of help and the driver is still held |
| safety, we have the same approach as when we | | | | the most responsible to get himself aware of anything |
| develop protective systems. In other words our | | | | that might affect his driving. |
| research and technical developments focus on areas | | | | With regards to changing lanes, Volvo Cars' |
| where new technology can create significant results in | | | | researchers presented the Lane Departure Warning |
| real-life-traffic." | | | | (LDW) system. After studies have been made, they |
| The Driver Alert Control (DAC), a world first innovation, | | | | got an estimate of 30 percent to 40 percent of the |
| is the product of Volvo's series of extensive studies | | | | accidents, of which are caused by single car road |
| on how drivers operate behind the wheel. Unlike other | | | | departures and head-on collisions, being prevented by |
| technologies featured before, DAC wouldn't be | | | | the system. |
| monitoring human behavior, which varies from one | | | | Like the DAC, the Lane Departure Warning comes |
| individual to another. Instead, the system will look over | | | | with a camera between the windscreen and the rear |
| the progress of the car on the road. Such driving | | | | view mirror. And, it also monitors the car's position |
| behavior is said to be much reliable since it considers | | | | between the road markings. A button on the center |
| assessing the impact of fatigue or distraction to the | | | | console with get this system activated, releasing a |
| car's movements, as well as if the car is being driven in | | | | gentle warning sound whenever the car unreasonably |
| a controlled and consistent manner. It would even work | | | | crosses one of the road markings. |
| as much as covering the guard if the driver is getting | | | | As with the car's speed, both the DAC and the LDW |
| to much attached to a mobile phone conversation or | | | | will be activated as it reaches 40 mph and stays |
| probably getting distracted by companion during driving. | | | | active as it exceeds 37 mph. |
| The composition of the Driver Alert Control includes a | | | | However, like any other technologies, exceptions exist. |
| camera between the windscreen and the interior rear | | | | Both systems will be unavailable during extreme |
| view mirror. Several sensors and a control unit have | | | | weather conditions and other situations that tend to |
| also been provided. The camera is held to measure | | | | make the markings unclear. Probably, this technology |
| the distance between the car and the road lane | | | | will be upgraded, as Volvo upgrades its Volvo radiator |
| markings. The sensors, on the other hand, are | | | | hoses, in time. |
| responsible in registering the car's movements in the | | | | |