| With the auto industry producing more and more | | | | the driver. The results of the tests can be used to |
| automobiles every year, it can be expected that the | | | | develop safety features which will identify drowsy |
| number of accidents involving vehicles will also | | | | drivers. This is the first step in controlling drowsy |
| increase. Numbers gathered by government agencies | | | | drivers from operating a vehicle. It is indeed necessary |
| all over the world suggest that the number of traffic | | | | that a driver should be always be on the alert when |
| accidents has yet to decline. | | | | behind the wheel. Even a Volvo vehicle with a high |
| Reducing the number of vehicle related accidents has | | | | performance engine and the best Volvo fuel injectors |
| become one of the major issues faced by car | | | | and loaded with safety features is not enough to |
| manufacturers today. Various safety features have | | | | eliminate the risk of traffic accidents. |
| already been developed and are credited for saving | | | | The research conducted by Volvo can be seen as |
| lives around the world. While these safety features | | | | the first step in developing another safety feature. |
| are good steps towards ensuring the safety of | | | | Currently, Volvo is already using a wide array of |
| consumers, the research and development of car | | | | safety features for their vehicles. One of these safety |
| companies with regards to safety features is far from | | | | features is the tire pressure monitoring system. This |
| over. That is why Volvo has undertaken a research to | | | | feature warns the driver if the car's or truck's tires are |
| find out the effect of fatigue on drivers for this is also | | | | over inflated or under inflated. In the United States, this |
| one major cause of vehicle mishaps. | | | | feature is mandatory for new vehicles. Warning the |
| Volvo Trucks, the world's second largest truck and | | | | driver as to the status of tire pressure is important in |
| bus manufacturer, has undertaken the study and has | | | | the sense that it reduces the risk of tire blowout. |
| found similarities between fatigued drivers and drunk | | | | Blowing a tire out at high speed is very risky and the |
| drivers. This finding shows that drowsy drivers are as | | | | tire pressure monitoring system reduces that risk. |
| prone to accidents as drunk drivers. The research also | | | | Another safety feature being used by Volvo is the |
| incorporates studies done by medical experts. These | | | | adaptive cruise control system. This feature uses |
| researches found out that the number of fatalities | | | | radar or a laser and sensors to determine the distance |
| caused by traffic accidents will be reduced significantly | | | | of a car from a vehicle in front of it. This system |
| if the drowsy drivers are not permitted to drive. This | | | | maintains a safe distance between the two vehicles. |
| research is one of Volvo's programs that is aimed at | | | | When the distance between two vehicles has |
| developing safety features for their trucks and buses. | | | | reached the preset distance, the system will prime the |
| It is widely known fact that Volvo is the leader in | | | | brake of the vehicle and will tighten the seat belts. This |
| producing safe vehicles. In fact, the strongest selling | | | | feature automatically engages when the vehicle |
| point of trucks, buses, and cars from the Volvo brand | | | | reaches a preset speed. Volvo uses this feature as |
| is their relative safety. | | | | either a standard or an optional feature for their |
| Volvo conducted a real life test to fully understand the | | | | vehicles. Aside from these two safety features, Volvo |
| effect of drowsiness on drivers. The company used | | | | will also offer different safety features aimed at |
| real cars and real drivers in the research. The Swedish | | | | reducing the possibility of an accident. Volvo also |
| government has given Volvo the permission to | | | | offers safety features which reduces the risk of death |
| conduct such tests. In conducting the study, Volvo | | | | or severe injury as a result of traffic accidents. |
| used a wide array of sensors and cameras to monitor | | | | |