Embracing a Safer Tomorrow: The Revolution of Automotive Safety

For the automotive industry safety is a 365x7x24 commitment that the world celebrates as Road Safety week. This commitment has come a long way and continues to progress. From the early days when seat belts were considered an optional luxury to today's vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance safety features, the dedication to safety has undergone revolutionary change. These improvements not only save life, but they are also changing how we see travel: as a safer, more reliable experience.

In recent years, we've seen a many changes towards prioritising safety in automobile designs and technology used in it. Firm rules and market demand for safer vehicles have also contributed to this shift. Also, thanks to the Indian media's constant coverage of new automobile models safety and ADAS features. As a result, customers are learning more about the benefits and functions of these technologies. This has increased the attractiveness of such systems in cars, hence raising consumer knowledge of ADAS and other safety features in Indian vehicles, with expectations that this awareness will continue to develop. As industry leaders, we are committed to leading this change, upholding our global reputation as pioneers in automotive safety. All of our cars come with ADAS 2 and encompass all safety standard features, scoring a five-star safety rating from Global NCAP.

The New Norms in Safety

The global car industry is now constrained by stricter safety standards than ever before. In India, the Bharat New Car Safety Assessment program (BNCAP) has established new standards that all cars must fulfil in order to offer adequate protection to both passengers and pedestrians. These criteria include mandated crash tests, the addition of safety features like as airbags, and stricter emissions rules, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to safety and environmental care. This proposes a mechanism of awarding ‘Star Ratings’ to automobiles based upon their performance in crash tests.

Internationally, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) continue to raise the safety standards. Features like automated emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assistance, and electronic stability control are becoming more common. These systems don't just mitigate the severity of accidents—they prevent them.

How Advanced Safety Features Reduce Accidents

While driving habits, driver responses and pedestrian behaviour are crucial elements in road safety, the advancement of safety technologies has been instrumental in lowering the frequency and severity of accidents. Today's vehicles are fitted with a variety of sensors and cameras, allowing for a wide range of modern safety measures.

Advanced safety measures in modern automobiles are crucial for decreasing accidents and improving overall road safety. Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) technologies are critical; they use sensors to identify impending crashes and automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to respond in time, thus averting or reducing the severity of accidents. Similarly, Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) helps maintain a vehicle's position within its lane by monitoring road markings and making minor steering adjustments if the vehicle begins to drift without an active turn signal—this is especially useful in preventing side-swipe and departure accidents, which are frequently caused by driver inattention or fatigue.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) enhances safety by altering the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, effectively lowering the chance of rear-end accident, particularly under changing traffic conditions thereby also lowering driver fatigue. This technology not only improves safety but also increases driver comfort on long trips by eliminating the need for regular speed adjustments. Blind Spot Detection warns drivers of vehicles in neighbouring lanes that may not be seen from the rear-view or side mirrors, making lane changes safer. Cross Traffic Alert helps by alerting drivers to crossing traffic when reversing from parking spaces, which is especially useful in congested parking lots where lateral movement can be hazardous.

Collectively, these advanced innovations significantly decrease the chance of accidents and are becoming standard in new vehicle models, demonstrating the auto industry's commitment to using technology to provide safer driving experiences. These technologies signify a trend towards more proactive safety measures, with taking priority over vehicle safety design.

Since our founding in 1927, Volvo Cars has been committed to creating vehicles that embody strength, safety, and sustainability. Our dedication is evident through decades of safety innovations, from the ground breaking introduction of the three-point safety belt in 1959 to our advancements in autonomous driving technologies. Each development highlights our commitment to protecting drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users alike.

All of our currently sold models are equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS features as standard. These include a collision avoidance system, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping aid, run-off road mitigation, cross-traffic alert with auto brakes. Additionally, our XC90, XC60, S90, C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge E80 comes with the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), a surround view camera with connected safety capabilities.

With our upcoming SPA2 cars, exemplified by the EX90, we are taking our ADAS capabilities to even higher levels. Our Safe Space Technology integrates all standard safety features found in Volvo vehicles, ensuring not only your safety but also your peace of mind. By combining new intelligent safety features in our cars, our goal is to achieve zero collisions and provide the utmost safety on the road.

As we celebrate 97 years of championing safety & the legacy of safety leadership this April 2024, all 40,000 Volvo employees, worldwide, reflect on what makes us uniquely Volvo: our rich history, strong values, dedicated people, and a forward-looking vision. This legacy continues to drive our efforts to safeguard lives on the road, making every Volvo not just a vehicle, but a guardian of safety.

The future of automobile safety combines technology, sustainability, and consumer-centric design. Collaboration among industry stakeholders will pave the way for a safer and smarter transportation landscape, in which accidents are uncommon and road travel is naturally safe for everybody.

The path to safer roads is a joint effort that includes automakers, governments, technology providers, and consumers. As Managing Director of Volvo Car India, I am proud of the progress we're making towards a safer automotive future. We are devoted to implementing cutting-edge safety solutions and instilling a safety culture at all levels of society.

Together, we can embrace a safer tomorrow by making our roadways safer for everyone. Volvo believes that the car of the future will be not just driverless, electric, and networked, but also safe.

Jyoti Malhotra is the MD of Volvo Car India