It’s summer holiday time in Europe and despite fatalities on German roads decreasing by 80 per cent since 1970, this is still a time of frequent incidents.
For many Europeans, the summer holiday road trip is the longest car journey they will take each year and tired drivers remain a focus. German research shows ‘drowsiness’ could be a cause in one-quarter of all fatal road accidents with resulting material damage of some €5.0-billion.
Mercedes-Benz’ ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system is fitted as standard equipment in all E-Class and S-Class models sold in Europe. Receiving input from 70 parameters, the system issues visual and audible warnings when it detects unusual steering wheel movements which could indicate the driver is getting sleepy.
The company says the system will soon be introduced across its entire model range.
“The more the car is able to take the pressure off the driver, the more stress-free driving on long journeys can become, explained Dr. Jorg Breuer, Mercedes-Benz’ Head of Active Safety. “Our research shows that following the introduction of new safety systems, the frequency and severity of accidents involving vehicles fitted with the systems drop significantly.”
It is the passion of Mercedes-Benz - and other German automotive brands - for developing ground-breaking new safety systems plus substantial Government investment in improved traffic infrastructure that has resulted in the country’s 80 per cent reduction in road accident fatalities since 1970. Last year there were just 4,154 deaths on German roads, the lowest since 1950.
