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