The future of vehicle safety

SAE100Future look:A decades-long effort by the auto industry and government has produced a tremendous reduction in the number of traffic fatalities in the United States.

In fact, the nation is now at its lowest traffic fatality rate in our history. Still, some 42,000 people die in accidents on our roads each year, and many industry safety experts say the technology exists to cut today's rate even further. These experts predict that what is being called “active safety” will usher in an era where fatalities are reduced by as much as an additional 50%. At Continental Automotive Systems, we agree.

We are in the midst of a revolution in smart vehicle technologies. Tomorrow's automobile will have “anticipatory” qualities that enable it to provide operating recommendations and active support to the driver. It will do this by monitoring ambient traffic situations, recognizing upcoming circumstances that require a driver response, and-if necessary-taking action.