Technology That Can Help You Avoid a Crash

More and more cars are being equipped with crash-avoidance technologies that can help slow and even stop a car before a collision happens. But do they work? 

New findings by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) suggest they do—and that Volvo’s City Safety technology that’s a standard feature on the Volvo XC60 SUV is effective at reducing low-speed crashes.

By examining property damage liability claims, the HLDI—an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)—found that Volvo XC60 drivers filed 27 percent fewer at-fault claims than owners of other midsize luxury SUVs. “City Safety is helping XC60 drivers avoid the kinds of front-to-rear low speed crashes that frequently happen on congested roads,” says Adrian Lund, president of HLDI and IIHS.

City Safety keeps a watch on vehicles in front of the driver’s car with the help of a laser sensor built into the windscreen at the height of the rearview mirror. 

Between 2-19 mph—the speed most people drive in stop-and-go traffic—the car will automatically brake when the car in front slows or stops if the driver doesn’t respond in time. 

If the speed difference between the driver’s car and the car in front is less than 9 mph, City Safety can avoid rear-ending the car completely. Between 9 to 19 mph, the speed at impact is cut by half, reducing the amount of damage and possible injury.

The Volvo XC60 also is available with Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake technology. This feature applies full braking force to the vehicle if a pedestrian walks into the car’s path and the driver doesn’t react.

In addition to crash-avoidance technologies, major car manufacturers are offering additional technology-based safety systems, such as blind spot detection, lane departure warnings, adaptive headlights and emergency brake assist.

Even with the assistance that the new safety features provide, drivers need to stay vigilant and focused: Technology is no substitute for careful driving.

 “While there have been advances in driver assistance systems that may help drivers avoid crashes, technology is never a substitute for the driver’s full attention on the driving task,” says Robyn Robertson, President and CEO, Traffic Injury Research Foundation.

Learn more about car safety technologies at the National Highway Traffic Safety Association and crash-avoidance technologies at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.