Safety solution aims to help drivers keep their distance
Volvo Trucks has introduced a safety function, Distance Alert, which it says makes it easier for truck drivers to keep a safer distance from the vehicle ahead and avoid critical situations.
Accidents where one vehicle runs into the back of another currently make up around 20 per cent of all serious collisions involving trucks.
“Often, accidents of this kind are caused by inattention and too short distance to the vehicle in front,” Volvo Trucks traffic and product safety director Carl Johan Almqvist says.
“Distance Alert warns drivers with a red light in the windscreen as soon as the truck gets too close to the vehicle ahead and in most cases a collision can be prevented.”
“Distance Alert is part of the most recent version of Volvo Trucks’ driving support system, Collision Warning with Emergency Brake, which is designed to help drivers to prevent accidents in several stages,” Volvo says.
“If Distance Alert does not have the intended effect, a flashing light and an audible alarm are used to warn the driver. Finally, the advanced emergency brake is activated. All of this happens within just a few seconds.”
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The function is intended for use on major roads outside cities and is switched on at speeds over 60km/h, unless the adaptive cruise control system is in use.
In the same way as the collision warning system’s other functions, Distance Alert uses a combination of camera and radar technology to calculate the distance and identify objects on the road.
“By continuously improving the active safety systems in our trucks, we are giving drivers better ways of reducing the risks that they and other road users are exposed to.
“Distance Alert is one of many examples of how technology can help to make good drivers even better,” Almqvist says.
“For haulage companies, investing in safety makes sense not only to protect people, but also to save money. Lower insurance and repair costs and less unplanned downtime are some of the arguments. In addition, a safe driving style is generally fuel-efficient. The combination of well-trained, safety-conscious drivers and safer trucks benefits everyone.”
The Distance Alert function is available on Volvo FH, Volvo FH16, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX manufactured from week 23, 2018. The trucks also need to be equipped with Volvo Trucks’ Collision Warning system.
Volvo Trucks’ Collision Warning with Emergency Brake system is available in the Volvo FH, Volvo FH16, Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FE and Volvo FL models.