New safety solution from Volvo Trucks helps drivers to keep the distance

Volvo Trucks has introduced a new safety function, Distance Alert, which makes it easier for truck drivers to keep a safer distance from the vehicle ahead and avoid critical situations. Accidents where one vehicle runs into the back of another currently make up around 20 percent of all serious collisions involving trucks.

“Often accidents of this kind are caused by inattention and too short distance to the vehicle in front. Distance Alert warns drivers with a red light in the windscreen as soon as the truck gets too close to the vehicle ahead and in most cases a collision can be prevented,” says Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks.

Distance Alert is part of the most recent version of Volvo Trucks' driving support system, Collision Warning with Emergency Brake, which is designed to help drivers to prevent accidents in several stages. If Distance Alert does not have the intended effect, a flashing light and an audible alarm are used to warn the driver. Finally, the advanced emergency brake is activated. All of this happens within just a few seconds.

The new function is intended for use on major roads outside cities and is switched on at speeds over 60 km/h, unless the adaptive cruise control system is in use. In the same way as the collision warning system's other functions, Distance Alert uses a combination of camera and radar technology to calculate the distance and identify objects on the road.

“By continuously improving the active safety systems in our trucks, we are giving drivers better ways of reducing the risks that they and other road users are exposed to. Distance Alert is one of many examples of how technology can help to make good drivers even better.”

“For haulage companies, investing in safety makes sense not only to protect people, but also to save money. Lower insurance and repair costs and less unplanned downtime are some of the arguments. In addition, a safe driving style is generally fuel-efficient. The combination of well-trained, safety-conscious drivers and safer trucks benefits everyone,” says Carl Johan Almqvist.

Facts

• The Distance Alert function is available on Volvo FH, Volvo FH16, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX manufactured from week 23, 2018. The trucks also need to be equipped with Volvo Trucks collision warning system.
    
• Distance Alert is designed to make it easier for truck drivers to keep a safer distance to the vehicle ahead.
   
• If detected that the vehicles are closer together than the selected time gap of 1.5 to 3.5 seconds, a red light appears in the windscreen. If the driver does not slow down, the collision warning system is activated and emits audible and visual signals of increasing intensity. Following this, the advanced emergency brake is applied.
   
• Volvo Trucks' Collision Warning with Emergency Brake system is available in the Volvo FH, Volvo FH16, Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FE and Volvo FL models.

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9 May, 2019

For further information, please contact:
Carl Johan Almqvist
Traffic & Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks.
Tel: +46 31 322 14 51; email: carl.johan.almqvist@volvo.com

Press images and films are available in the Volvo Trucks image and film gallery at http://images.volvotrucks.com 

Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 15 countries across the globe. In 2018, more than 127,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks´ work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

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