Mercedes-Benz Talks Safety in Germany

Mercedes-Benz has used a recently held traffic safety conference in Berlin to present the company’s road safety research activity and in-car applications. Dr. Jorg Breuer, Head of Active Safety of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car division attended the conference and explained that avoiding stress-induced accidents and improving physiological safety are one of the main points on the company’s safety research agenda.

Breuer chose the Mercedes Attention Assist system as an example of the carmaker’s developments. The warning system, which is aimed at detecting drowsiness at the wheel, is being fitted as standard to all E and S-Klasse vehicles (excepting the S400 Hybrid). The executive added that Mercedes plans to expand the use of the system to other vehicles in its range.

“In Germany, drowsiness is currently the cause of 25 percent of all fatal road traffic accidents. According to scientific studies, material damage amounting to some five billion euros is caused each year in Germany by drivers who are overtired. If other manufacturers were to follow the example being set by Mercedes it is expected that a further significant reduction in the number of casualties on the roads could be achieved,” stated the press release.

The Attention Assist system monitors 70 parameters, detecting unusual steering wheel movements, such as those accidentally performed when drivers are in danger of falling asleep. The system responds to hazardous situations by sending visual and audible warnings requesting the driver to take a brake.

"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," explained Breuer.