Rear-end avoidance technology shows reduction in claims

A new advanced, forward-collision-avoidance feature used in Volvo’s XC60 midsize SUV should prevent about a quarter of the common low-speed crashes that happen in everyday in commuter traffic, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported. A study of insurance claims found that Volvo XC60s outfitted with the ‘City Safety’ feature had 27% fewer claims for rear-ending another vehicle in slow-moving, heavy traffic than other midsize luxury SUVs.City Safety automatically brakes to avoid a front-to-rear crash in certain low-speed conditions. It uses an infrared laser sensor built into the windshield to monitor the area in front of the SUV when travelling at speeds of about 3 km-h to 30 km-h. It detects and reacts to other vehicles within 18 feet of the vehicle’s front bumper during both daytime and night-time driving. Although it might not prevent the crash, the feature will reduce the consequences of the collision. It’s not designed to work at speeds faster than 30 km-h, the IIHS said.