|
Article courtesy of articlecity.com
Mercedes-Benz And
Your Safety
by:
Matthew C. Keegan
Some car crashes
cannot be avoided and serious injury or death can follow. Please read what
Mercedes-Benz is doing to help prepare vehicle occupants moments before a crash
occurs.
Volvo has long
been attributed with being the number one automobile manufacturer when it comes
to vehicular safety and rightly so. As an inventor of “crumple zones” and
“safety cages” to protect passengers, Volvo set the tone for worldwide auto
building for the next several generations. Indeed, the auto industry owes much
to Volvo’s many safety contributions. Not to be lost in all of this is the work
that Mercedes-Benz has been doing to improve passenger safety too. Taking the
Volvo concept one step further, Mercedes now incorporates several technological
advances with their vehicles in order to provide the safest riding experience
available. Let’s take a look at Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE system and how it can protect
you and your passengers.
I must admit that
the first time I heard about Mercedes’ new safety system I had thought that it
was something that was still years away from becoming available. How wrong I
was! The PRE-SAFE system, as it is called, is a terrific way to enhance
passenger safety and one that should be adopted by other automakers. Yes, I am
sure that it isn’t a cheap system but as it is with so many technological
advances the price is bound to drop and the system or something like it will
become widely available across the board.
Introduced with
select Mercedes models in 2003, the PRE-SAFE system automatically kicks in
moments before a collision. All it takes is a panic stop or a skid and the
system is set in motion; here is what occupants can expect moments before a
crash occurs:
Snug in place.
Passenger seat belts automatically tighten to prepare occupants for a crash.
Snug in place,
part two. Along with the seat belts, air cushions on the sides of the seats
inflate to keep people in position.
Seat movements.
Headrests and seats automatically move to predetermined positions that provide
optimum protection for occupants.
Close it up.
Windows automatically shut to offer the best support for side-curtain air bags
and cars equipped with a moon roof will find that it has closed up in the event
of a rollover.
Since its
introduction, PRE-SAFE has been expanded to additional Mercedes models and the
original technology is constantly being tweaked and improved upon.
New technology
being developed by Mercedes includes the development of a radar sensor to track
vehicles running a red light and slamming into your car. Once this technology
has been readied, it will take the PRE-SAFE system one step further and offer
occupants one more way to avoid serious injury.
So, is Volvo
behind in the development of crash preparation technology? Not a chance. Volvo
released its Whiplash Protection Seating System in 2000 that prepares passengers
for a rear hit by adjusting the seating position to minimize impact. In
addition, the company is working on a radar system that can detect when a driver
drifts out of his lane. This feature will also utilize an electronic eye to keep
an eye on blind spots not seen through the side mirrors.
Ultimately, a
defensive driver is the best driver, but there are times when situations are
completely out of your control. Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE system is certain to be a big
help and is likely to reduce serious injuries and even prevent some deaths.
Technology at its best!
|
About The
Author
Copyright
2006 – Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer covering topics from performance
auto parts to new car reviews. |
Web site and all contents © Copyright mbusaforums.com 2007, 2008 All rights
reserved
mbusaforums.com is not affiliated with Mercedes Benz USA (mbusa.com)
.
|
