Honda - Safety to sell new Accord

The all-new Accord with stability control as standard went on sale in the UK on June 1 with the estate version due to enter showrooms on September 1.

However, few drivers appreciate the benefits of stability control, which is known by as many as 20 different names depending on the vehicle manufacturer, until they experience the technology in action.

Combined

That is why the Kettering Honda dealership combined a workshop on at-work driving safety with the official fleet launch of the Accord to customers at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire.

RoadSafe director Adrian Walsh told delegates: “We believe that safe company car drivers will not drive a car equipped without ESC. Reducing business car crashes will make a significant difference to the business itself.

“Crashes happen because drivers make a mistake that almost always results in a skid. If a driver can avoid a skid they avoid a crash, which is what stability control is all about.”

Simon Firmin, operations manager of Humanware in Rushden, which has a seven-strong fleet, said after experiencing stability control fitted to a Honda Civic on the Rockingham wet grip circuit: “It is a brilliant safety aid if needed.

“95% of the time you hope that you never need stability control, but for the 5% of the time that you may need the technology it is good to know that it will stop a driver from having a serious crash.

Technology

“Stability control is technology we are increasingly starting to look for on our fleet vehicles. Staff have a fairly free company car choice, but as we take delivery of new vehicles we make sure that they are equipped with the right safety features and stability control will be one of them.”

Dave Burrows, sales manager at Corby-based PCM Pumps, clocks up 30,000 miles a year and has just taken delivery of a new Accord after four years behind the wheel of the previous model.

“It is good to know that stability control is standard on the car in the event that you need it. Every driver, particularly young drivers, should experience stability control in an environment such as Rockingham,” he said.

The anti-skid technology is being billed by the ‘Choose ESC!’ campaign as three letters that may save your life and Mike Duroe, aftersales manager at PCM Pumps, said: “It was the first time that I have experienced stability control. The technology should be standard fit on all vehicles.”

Stability control currently remains standard fit on less than half of all new cars on sale in the UK - although that figure is rising.

Mark McLoughlin, fleet relationship manager covering the East Midlands at Lombard Vehicle Management, said: “Stability control is undoubtedly technology worth having on your car even if it is an extra cost. The one time you have a skid you may need ESC and it may just save your life.”

The new Accord also features a system that utilises both stability control and the car’s electric power steering. Called Motion Adaptive EPS, it detects instability in slippery conditions both during cornering and under braking and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed to prompt the driver to steer in the correct direction.

The input is barely noticeable and control of the steering remains with the driver at all times, but is enough to prompt the driver to regain stability or to shorten braking distances, allowing control to be maintained.

Standard

Also standard is Trailer Stability Assist, which ensures, by using a combination of reduced engine torque and selective braking, that the Accord is slowed to a safe and stable speed if snaking should occur while towing.

An updated version of Honda’s Advanced Driving Assist System (ADAS) is available as an option and for the first time features the marque’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS).

Distance

CMBS monitors the distance and closing rate between the Accord and the car directly in front of it, warning the driver of a likely collision with alarms and seatbelt ‘tugs’. If the system detects that a collision is unavoidable, it automatically applies braking to reduce the effects of an impact.

Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, hailed the technology as a ‘massive breakthrough’ when it tested the system along with Volvo’s City Safety, which will be fitted as standard to the all-new XC60 in the autumn, and Mercedes-Benz’s Distronic Plus, which is currently available on some S-Class models (RoadSafe: spring 2008).

Thatcham experts said after putting the cutting-edge anti-crash technologies to the test that they could in time save more than 125,000 injuries a year and cut vehicle repair bills by more than £2.1 billion.

Matthew Avery, Thatcham research manager – crash, said: “These systems are a massive breakthrough for keeping motorists safe. Manufacturers should be congratulated for introducing this technology, which is significant for the safety of all UK road users. Collision avoidance systems represent the future of accident and injury reduction on UK roads.”

ADAS also includes Lane Keeping Assist System, which uses a camera to detect the car deviating from a traffic lane and provides steering torque when necessary, thereby reducing the burden of motorway driving while at the same time enhancing safety, and Adaptive Cruise Control, which uses a millimetre-wave radar to maintain a consistent distance to a vehicle directly in front, which can help reduce driver fatigue.

The Accord’s passive safety features include front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, dual stage front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, full-length curtain airbags and Isofix fittings and tether anchor points for secure child seat fixture on all models.

There are also front seat active headrests that are triggered when the occupant is pushed into the seat in the event of a rear impact, so causing a rigid plate to activate a link to the headrest which pushes it forward to support the head.

For Kettering Honda dealer principal Julian Ranft safety is becoming a selling point, particularly in the corporate arena.

Agenda

“Road safety is very much on the business agenda as a result of the increasing focus on duty of care and this year’s introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act,” he said.

“More business customers are coming into our showroom and want to know European New Car Assessment crash test ratings and the safety features available on Honda vehicles. Safety is starting to sell, which is why we want to expose more of our customers to the Honda range.”

With the arrival of the new Accord, Honda is positioning the model alongside established premium carmakers in the D-sector such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The manufacturer says the availability of the ADAS Pack continues Honda’s quest to bring E-sector advanced technology to lower segments. Tom Gardner, head of Marketing for Honda (UK), said: “We know this car can mount a credible challenge to Audi and BMW in those key areas. We can offer that premium experience through our products, at an accessible price.”

See ESC feature

Fiat - One-day driver development course will help fleets

Developed in conjunction with the Driving Instructors’ Association, it focuses on getting drivers into a car with a trained instructor, which may be the first time they have been monitored since they passed their test.

The initiative was announced by Fiat’s fleet and remarketing director Adam Pumfrey as he unveiled the company’s new dealer fleet specialist programme, which is designed to target small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Commenting on the work-place driving initiative, Mr Pumfrey said: “The aim of this programme is to educate smaller companies of the importance of looking after their drivers’ health and safety when at the wheel of their company vehicle. It gives them an opportunity to establish the quality of their drivers and then act on any issues that may arise.

“We want to make it clear that it is up to companies to be responsible for driver welfare and to make sure they are trained to a high enough standard for the amount, and type, of driving they do.”

Volkswagen - Park Assist Vision goes on trial at VW

A demonstration saw a Passat estate approaching, stop, and the driver get out, slamming the door shut. As he walked away from the car, he aimed a remote control back at it. Immediately the car reverse parked itself into the available space, then independently cut the engine and activated the door locks.

Volkswagen says the technology is particularly useful in car parks where spaces are often too narrow to allow drivers and passengers to get in and out of their car comfortably.

In the not too distant future, ‘Park Assist Vision’, says Volkswagen, will put an end to that problem. Having already launched a semi-automatic parksteering system, ‘Park Assist’, in its Touran, Tiguan, Passat and Passat estate to help drivers parallel park, Volkswagen unveiled the concept ‘Park Assist Vision’ system. No date has been set for introduction of the system to series production.

The only thing the driver needs to do is select an available space on the monitor of the navigation system, set the selection lever of the automatic-drive vehicle (DSG) to ‘P’ and exit the car. Although, the driver can choose to stay in the vehicle until it has been manoeuvred into its space.

Two cameras located in the left and right exterior mirrors are responsible for gauging the dimensions of the parking space. The video signals are transmitted to a high-performance computer which then analyses them and sends commands to the steering and drive systems.

If the driver has initiated the parking manoeuvre, the ‘Park Assist Vision’ will reverse the vehicle into the parking space in accordance with the previously computed course and using electromechanical power steering, the electronic parking brake, DSG and the engine power produced by the idling mixture. Two additional cameras at the front and rear of the vehicle as well as the system’s ultrasound sensors monitor the operation and will stop the vehicle if necessary. The driver may also interrupt the manoeuvre at any time using the remote control.

BMW - ConnectDrive for 30,000 cars

ConnectedDrive offers drivers a dedicated website and a unique combination of facilities, emergency and breakdown assistance as well as driver convenience services, with new features such as Google Sendto- Car and RSS internet information feeds directly into the car. Alongside these driver aids, the safety benefits of the existing eCall emergency connection to the 999 emergency services and bCall link to the BMW breakdown service remain.

Claiming that there are already many instances of where ConnectedDrive has literally saved lives, a BMW spokesman said: “One situation occurred when an X5 was involved in an accident that rendered the driver unconscious. As the airbag deployed, the car instantly contacted the 999 emergency services who were dispatched to the location of the incident, arriving before the driver had regained consciousness. The car was written off as a result of this accident, but the driver potentially saved from serious injury.”

ConnectedDrive is supplied as standard on all new BMW cars equipped with navigation and bluetooth mobile telephone connectivity for three years.

Volvo Truck - Truck system cuts out human error

Independent studies show that 10-20% of all single-vehicle crashes are caused by driver fatigue. In response, Volvo believes it is the first truck manufacturer in Europe to develop a system that uses a camera to monitor the vehicle’s course in relation to the road markings.

Using ‘Driver Alert Support’, if a driving pattern is perceived as irregular, the driver is alerted by an audible signal and a text message in the driver information display. If the irregular pattern continues, the driver is cautioned to stop and take a break.

Another common cause of truck accidents is reduced visibility where blind spots, bends, darkness and poor visibility reduce the driver’s control so Volvo Truck has developed a ‘third eye’.

Designed to improve visibility, Volvo Truck’s new ‘Lane Changing Support’ provides this extra ‘eye’ with a radar sensor that helps the driver detect other vehicles in the blind spot on the passenger side. The driver is alerted by a light signal in the A-pillar and an intensified indicator noise.

Driving round bends in the dark is also a risky manoeuvre, because road edges are usually poorly lit. To improve safety, the manufacturer has launched ‘cornering lights’ that illuminate the edge of the road. They’re automatically activated with the indicators on either side of the vehicle at speeds below 20 mph.

To improve driving safety in adverse weather, Volvo will become the first truck manufacturer in Europe to offer a rain sensor option for all FH and FM trucks. The sensor gauges the rain’s intensity and automatically adjusts the speed of the windscreen wipers to suit.

And in a world first Volvo Trucks will become the first manufacturer to launch electronic stability control (ESC) for 6x2 trucks with trailers.

Tractor

Until now, the system has only been available for tractor units, but by braking the trailer’s wheels in certain situations, ESC will help stabilise the whole truck and trailer combination and prevent overturning or jack-knife accidents.

ESC will also be available for tractors with multiple trailers, which means it will also be compatible with 25.25m combinations in the European Modular System.

Lars-Göran Löwenadler, Volvo Trucks’ safety director, said: “We’ve always aimed for the highest possible collision safety and are very advanced on this front. Now we’re focusing on accident prevention. Volvo’s strategy here is to make things easier for drivers, not to take over the responsibility for their driving.”

FROM September 2009, the European Union directive introducing the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) takes effect requiring truck drivers to be trained in areas including safety. All hauliers must offers drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW, an EU-certified 35-hour training programme which must be completed over a five-year period. Volvo, which has developed an extensive training programme for truck drivers based on ‘reallife’ work situations and traffic conditions, said it welcomed the initiative. A spokesman said: “We can base the course on our existing driver training programme, which includes product knowledge, safety and efficiency and already meets most of the forthcoming EU requirements. For some time, we’ve been offering our customers courses in fuel-efficient driving, and we’re now launching a safety course.

“Other training modules will gradually be introduced.”

Vauxhall - Insignia features a safety first

The two technologies – ‘traffic sign recognition’ and ‘lane departure warning’ – combine to form the front camera system to improve driving safety, reduce stress and prevent costly speeding tickets, says Vauxhall.

The wide-angled, highresolution camera and processors were jointly developed by Vauxhall/Opel engineers and specialists from supplier Hella.

The camera, located between the windscreen and the rear-view mirror of the Vectra replacement, detects road signs and lane markings. It’s not much bigger than a mobile phone, but can take 30 pictures per second. Two signal processors filter and read the photos.

Depending on light conditions, the ‘traffic sign recognition’ function begins to repeatedly read signs at 100 metres. It starts by focusing on circular patterns then identifies the numbers inside them via contour comparison. When a match is found in the car’s software, the sign is displayed in the instrument panel.

Known as the ‘Vauxhall Eye’, a spokesman said: “The system always displays the most relevant information for safe driving, filtering out many signs that may overwhelm drivers. If two signs are recognised in close proximity to one another, then special notice signs, like ‘no passing restriction would take precedence over a speed limit sign. The ‘Vauxhall Eye’ gives more accurate information than portable navigation systems with stored speed limits because the camera works in real time. If a speed limit changes, due to road construction for instance, the ‘Eye’ detects it.”

When the ‘lane departure warning’ function is turned on, it uses a second signal processor and software to read traffic lanes and record a driver’s normal lane-changing behaviour, taking into account steering input and indicator usage. If any deviation is detected, an audible and visual warning is sent from the instrument panel, preventing hazardous situations, such as a driver falling asleep at the wheel.

The front camera system will be available as an option on the new Insignia, which made its world debut at this summer’s British International Motor Show, and goes on sale in November.

The technology will be available from early 2009 with other Vauxhall models benefiting from the system in future.

Volvo Cars - Prices revealed for marque’s ‘safest car’

The new crossover vehicle combines XC capability with sports coupe styling and will start at £24,750 on-the-road for the 2.4D S topping out at £34,495 for the T6 AWD (285 PS) Geartronic when the range arrives in dealer showrooms in October, with first customer deliveries arriving in November.

The XC60 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March and has already won a UK technology award for its innovative City Safety system, an autobrake collision avoidance system which is a standard feature (RoadSafe: spring 2008). The XC60 will be available in three trim levels: S, SE and SE Lux and will have the choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 producing 285 PS, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel generating 185 bhp and 163 bhp, respectively.

Standard equipment on the S model will include: 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, roof rails and rear spoiler, City Safety RSC (roll stability control), electronic climate control, information centre, cruise control, leather steering wheel with remote audio controls, aluminium trim and performance sound audio system with aux input and CD player.

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