Your Volvo Alerts You About Nearby Accidents for Safety Measures

Mar 01, 2024 07:37 PM EST

AUTO CAR THE VEHICLE REFLECTOR VOLVO — (Photo : PIXABAY/rkarkowski)

Volvo is introducing an innovative safety feature to alert drivers about nearby crashes and accidents ahead, particularly valuable on winding roads or in low-visibility conditions. Known as Accident Ahead Alert, this system leverages cloud technology and real-time data from national traffic management centers.

Accident Ahead Alert: Volvo's Latest Upgrade

Similar to popular navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps, Volvo will notify drivers of accidents ahead. Thus, empowering them to adjust speed, exercise caution, or consider alternative routes if traffic congestion looms. This cutting-edge functionality is available on the 40, 60, and 90 Volvo ranges, enhancing driver awareness and promoting safer journeys.

Volvo will include a new safety feature in compatible models that alerts drivers about nearby vehicles even when there is a significant distance between them. Additionally, these Volvo cars can already communicate warnings about slippery road conditions and other dangers, with plans to integrate more traffic information from traffic management centers.

As per Autoevolution's report, this feature is particularly aimed at situations where a crash occurs immediately after a turn, reducing visibility and leaving little time to react. The feature utilizes real-time data from traffic management centers and marks the first appearance of this connected safety feature in a car.

The primary objective is to assist drivers in evading collisions and traffic congestion resulting from potential accidents ahead. The innovative Accident Ahead Alert system is designed to notify drivers about a traffic incident occurring several hundred meters in advance. This crucial location data will be supplied by national road authorities and compatible vehicles, enhancing overall driver awareness and safety.

Volvo works to achieve less fatalities in its vehicles. Beginning 2020, the company put an electronic speed limit of 112 mph (180 kph) on all new vehicles. This is way lower than its direct competitors in the segment.

As reported by CarBuzz, this feature proves to be especially useful on rural roads. In scenarios where a crash occurs on a blind corner during nighttime driving, Accident Ahead Alert can efficiently notify Volvo drivers, enabling them to respond promptly by adjusting their speed accordingly.

Safety for All

Volvo has consistently led the way in innovative safety features. The introduction of the EX90 in 2016 marked a significant leap in this endeavor, with the incorporation of intelligent driver assist systems. This includes the utilization of connected safety technology. Thus, leveraging the Volvo Cars cloud to enable vehicles, currently limited to Volvos, to exchange crucial information about road conditions and potential hazards, including the newly extended Accident Ahead Alert feature.

To make use of this cutting-edge feature, Volvo owners are required to activate the 'connected safety' option within the infotainment system, facilitating the sharing and reception of anonymized data with other compatible Volvos. Asa Haglund, Head of the Volvo Cars Safety Center, emphasizes the impact of this groundbreaking connected safety technology.

He stated that the Accident Ahead Alert not only aids Volvo drivers in steering clear of unexpected incidents but also plays a role in enhancing overall road safety. The system is compatible with vehicles manufactured from 2016 and later.