A Closer Look: Mercedes Advanced Safety Tech

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Mercedes has always been at the forefront of automotive technology. When it comes to safety, the brand has shown its commitment to saving lives by pioneering advanced technology features and making many of them standard on all their new vehicles. In recent years, the luxury brand has made significant strides in the development of features designed not only to prevent accidents but also protect occupants in the event of a collision. Here is a closer look at some of Mercedes’ most advanced safety technologies and how they work to keep drivers and passengers safe on the road. 

Active Brake Assist

Standard across Mercedes’ vehicle range, Active Brake Assist mitigates or prevents collisions by warning the driver of an imminent collision or autonomously applying the brakes if necessary. This robust system monitors potential collisions with vehicles traveling ahead, crossing, or oncoming. Drivers are alerted with a visual and audible warning ahead of time so a corrective maneuver can be taken. To minimize the impact or fully prevent an accident, the system will boost brake pressure or fully apply the brakes if deemed necessary. 

Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control

Distronic is Mercedes’ implementation of adaptive cruise control. When engaged, the vehicle will adjust its speed to maintain a safe following distance with the car ahead and stay at a set speed limit without the driver applying the brakes or accelerating. These systems increase safety by reducing the chances of driver error, a major cause of car accidents. Mercedes offers different types of Distronic systems depending on the model and year of your vehicle.

Distronic

The most basic implementation of Distronic will not bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Below 15 to 20mph, control is handed off back to the driver.

Distronic PLUS

This extends the functionality of Distronic all the way to zero miles per hour. Unlike its basic counterpart, it can handle stop-and-go traffic with ease. 

Distronic PLUS with Steering Assist

The most advanced offering of Distronic provides the most convenience for drivers. In addition to automatically adjusting your speed and maintaining a set follow distance, the steering assist function will intervene to prevent an unintended lane departure and keep the vehicle centered in lane. 

Attention Assist Driver Monitoring

Mercedes was first to introduce driver monitoring software on their vehicles. A sensor is used to monitor the driver and detect fatigued driving behavior. Using data to assess personal driving techniques, road conditions, and weather conditions, the system is able to identify specific steering inputs that indicate drowsiness and fatigue. Once detected, an alert is displayed suggesting the driver to take a break. According to the accident lawyers at Dormer Harpring, fatigued driving can be used as proof of negligence in a car accident. 

Pre-Safe Accident Sensing

Presafe is able to detect an impending accident and optimize the passenger compartment for safety. Once a potential crash is detected, Presafe tightens the front seatbelts, repositions the headrests, and attempts to close windows in a bid to protect occupants as much as possible. Presafe works in conjunction with active brake assist and Distronic for maximum safety. There are a few additional types of Pre-safe that Mercedes offers:

Pre-Safe Plus

Intended to prevent or lessen the effects of a rear end collision, Pre-Safe Plus flashes the rear hazard lights to warn the incoming driver to stop or slow down. To mitigate the effects of a collision, seat backrests are moved to an upright position. If the vehicle is stopped in a rear end collision situation, the system will increase braking force to prevent a secondary crash. 

Pre-Safe Impulse Side

Pre-Safe Impulse Side is intended to protect occupants from a side impact. When a lateral collision is imminent, an air chamber inflates from the side of the seat, pushing the occupant toward the center of the vehicle and away from the impact area. This has the potential to greatly reduce the force of the impact.

Commitment to Safety

Mercedes has shown that they are committed to safety by pioneering state of the art safety technologies that prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a collision. Active Brake Assist, Distronic adaptive cruise control, Attention Assist, and Pre-Safe Sensing all contribute to make Mercedes some of the most robust and safest vehicles on the road. Mercedes has shown a commitment to the safety of their consumers that other vehicle manufactures should learn from.