Volvo is once again raising the benchmark on driver-safety technology with its new "City Safe" collision avoidance system. Keeping statistics that roughly 75 percent of automobile collisions occur at below 20 miles per hour top of mind, Volvo designed the system, with an optical radar system to monitor traffic up to six meters ahead. Should "City Safe" register that the car ahead dramatically slows or suddenly stops, it will automatically pre-charge the brakes. In the case of a more imminent accident, it will fully activate the brakes.

Speaking on the system in its infancy, Ingrid Skogsmo, Director, Volvo Cars Safety Centre said, "The system offers benefits to all involved. For the occupants of the car in front, the risk of whiplash injuries is avoided or reduced, plus it can help reduce or even eliminate the cost of repairs to both vehicles."¹

Five years later, "City Safe" is a standard feature in the Volvo XC60 midsize SUV. And, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) has given it their official nod of approval after performing an extensive study, proving that XC60 SUVs equipped with the feature were far less likely to be involved in a low-speed accident than all other vehicle within the same segment, not equipped with the system. Specifically, the HLDI reports that claims under property damage were filed over 25 percent less frequently by Volvo XC60 owners.

"This is our first real-world look at an advanced crash avoidance technology, and the findings are encouraging," reports Adrain Lund, President, HLDI. "'City Safe' is helping [Volvo] XC60 [SUV] drivers avoid the kinds of front-to-rear, low speed crashes that frequently happen on congested roads."²

If you're interested to learn more about how "City Safe" operates, or other safety technologies that come standard with the Volvo XC60, please contact Smothers European Volvo at (707) 542-4810 today. Or, visit us in person at 2881 Corby Avenue in Santa Rosa, CA. And, be sure to stay tuned for more Volvo news, coming soon.

Sources:

-          ¹http://www.autospies.com/news/Volvo-Annouces-City-Safety-Technology-to-Avoid-Low-Speed-Collisions-10406/
-          ²http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr071911.html