Analyses carried out by Mercedes-Benz accident research have shown that more than two-thirds of all traffic accidents are preceded by critical driving situations which enable conclusions to be drawn about risks or impending collisions.
PRE-SAFE® is therefore a significant element of the holistic safety concept of Mercedes-Benz known as “Real Life Safety”.
Analyses performed during crash tests show just how important and effective anticipatory occupant protection can be. In the case of seat belt tensioning, for example, the precautionary measures mean that the driver and front passenger are held in their seats in the best possible position and so do not move forwards as much prior to the impact as a result of emergency braking, and the loads exerted are therefore reduced. These tests have shown that the head of a dummy is subjected to around 30 percent less stress, while the Mercedes-Benz engineers have recorded a reduction of around 40 percent in the neck area.
Ten years after its introduction in the autumn of 2002, PRE-SAFE® is now available in a total of 14 model series. In 2012, almost 60 percent of all of the Mercedes-Benz passenger cars delivered in Europe have been fitted with PRE SAFE®. The rapid spread of PRE-SAFE® as well as radar-based driver assistance systems right across all model series at Mercedes-Benz is also reflected in the number of installed sensors: some 50,000 radar sensors were installed in the vehicles delivered in October 2012. Prior to the introduction of COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST as standard in the new A and B-Class, this number was significantly lower – the 10,000 mark was surpassed for the first time in April 2011. In total, precisely 756,352 radar sensors have been installed in the Mercedes-Benz vehicles delivered to date.
