03/25/2010

Continental’s advanced safety technology can prevent accidents

Hanover, March 2010 – Financial incentives should be provided to young drivers in future to encourage them to buy cars featuring the latest safety technology. This was one of the recommendations passed on to the German government by the German Traffic Court Conference at the beginning of this year. For, according to Germany’s Federal Office of Statistics, more than 81,400 drivers involved in road accidents in 2008 were aged between 18 and 24, and almost 400 of them lost their lives as a result. Traffic psychologist, Professor Hans-Peter Krüger from the University of Würzburg says: “Drivers of this age group are frequently in danger of running off the road. The usual reasons are driving too fast, following too closely, and failing to keep the vehicle within a lane. This is because young people underestimate the risk in hazardous driving situations, and have not yet completely mastered basic vehicle handling skills. Distraction and driving under the influence of alcohol are often additional factors.” Krüger believes that intelligent technologies could help novice drivers: “Advanced driver assistance systems provide significant potential in terms of added safety, and are ideal for preventing young driver mistakes.”

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State-of-the-art assistance systems, which are continuously being refined, are part of the range of Continental, one of the world’s biggest auto industry suppliers. For years, Continental has been engaged in various road safety and accident prevention projects. Continental developed the smart Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, for example: ACC ensures that the distance to the vehicle in front and the vehicle’s cruising speed are maintained constant. Blind Spot Detection (BSD) warns the driver in the side-view mirror of the presence of a vehicle in the blind spot detection area. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) alerts the driver, through vibration of the steering wheel for example, if the car deviates or is about to deviate from its lane. The emergency brake assist responds at the very last moment by triggering an automatic braking function if the driver is inattentive and makes no sign that he has recognized the danger of a collision by countersteering or switching from the gas to the brake pedal, for instance.

ESC, or electronic stability control, is a life saver. If the car is driven too fast around a corner, ESC helps keep the car safely on the road – and is to become mandatory in Europe for all new cars from 2011. Continental also offers electronic (anti-lock) brake systems for motorcycles. 

According to information published by Germany’s Federal Office of Statistics, half the 18- to 24-year-olds involved in road accidents were driving cars older than ten years. More than 80 percent of those cars had serious safety defects involving the brakes, chassis or lights. “The most inexperienced road users are sitting in the worst vehicles with no access to available safety systems”, criticizes Krüger. “This has got to change in the future!”