The next 'big thing' in car safety?

Three different systems that mitigate, and in some cases stop low-speed shunts and collisions from happening, were recently evaluated by the insurance industry's motor research centre Thatcham. Low-speed incidents make up around 75% of all motor accidents.

One of the systems looked at by Thatcham was Volvo's 'City Safety', which will be fitted as standard to the Volvo XC60 - on sale from November this year. The system is active at up to 20mph and uses a form of laser radar mounted on top of the windscreen.

It is programmed to respond if the vehicle in front is either at a standstill or is moving in the same direction as the car itself. The brakes are pre-charged and should a collision be imminent it applies them and cuts the throttle. If the car is travelling below 10mph it should prevent the collision entirely, and at a speed of up to 20mph will reduce the impact by 50%.

Mercedes 'Distronic Plus' technology, currently available on some Mercedes S-class models, uses two radar systems linked to the car's cruise control system to maintain a safe distance from the car in front. It continuously calculates the distance and speed differential, and will bring the car to a complete stop if necessary.

The third system looked at by Thatcham was Honda's CMBS - Collision Mitigation Brake System. Currently available on the Honda CR-V, it again is a radar system that calculates the distance and speed differential between the car and vehicle in front.

In dangerous situations it will provide visual and audible warnings to the driver before the brakes are progressively activated. Seat belts are also tightened to alert the driver to an impending problem and to lessen any resulting injuries.

'Major impact'

Thatcham crash research manager Matthew Avery said all three systems were a "massive breakthrough" for road safety, and called on car manufacturers to fit them as standard.

"Collision avoidance systems represent the future of accident and injury reduction on UK roads," he said. "They will make a major impact on the number of slow speed accidents - in Britain and across the world.

"It will take a number of years before enough cars in the UK are fitted with the technology. Once a threshold is reached injury figures will tumble. Most accidents involve two or more vehicles - so every car fitted with the kit can save damage and injury to multiples of others."

Commenting on the test results, he added: "All three systems offer enhanced protection – the Volvo in particular impressed because of its autonomous operation and the fact that it intervened at the last second and can completely avoid a crash."

However, Matthew went on to say that it was imperative that driver vigilance was not lowered by the inclusion of such technologies.

"These systems should not allow the driver to compensate and take additional risks," he said. "The car is not the driver – the driver drives the car."