Infiniti releases lane-departure device

[Mayhem_J30]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/...x.htm

Quote »Nissan's (NSANY) Infiniti luxury division this year will be first to sell cars in the USA with lane-departure warning systems, technology that could dramatically cut down on one of the leading causes of highway traffic accidents.The device, which warns a driver if it senses a vehicle unintentionally leaving a lane, is part of a growing family of technology aimed at helping drivers avoid crashes.

The system, developed by California-based Iteris, uses a tiny camera on the inside rearview mirror that tracks the lines on both sides of the road to determine if a car is drifting out of its lane. Audio and visual alerts are set off if the turn signal isn't being used.

The 2005 Infiniti FX45 sport-utility vehicle, on sale later this year, will offer the system, as will the 2006 M45 sedan, on sale early next year. To start, it will be available only as part of the DVD option, which presently costs $1,600.

The Department of Transportation says 55% of fatal accidents are caused by unintended lane departure, including veering off the road. In 2002, the most recent year for which statistics are available, there were 6 million crashes in the USA, causing 42,000 deaths and 3 million injuries.

Robert Yakushi, director of product safety at Nissan, says driver distraction, inattention or drowsiness are the leading causes of lane-departure accidents. "This system doesn't prevent lane departures but gives the driver a better chance at reacting when it does happen," he says.

Lane-departure warnings have been offered in some commercial trucks since last year. Most carmakers are looking at lane-departure warning systems. Nissan, Ford and other manufacturers are testing even more intrusive systems that would intervene in steering and braking if an unintentional lane change occurred.

DOT is studying an array of changes in technology, regulation and transportation infrastructure that could reduce traffic accidents. A study examining lane departure and driver distraction will conclude this year.

Some Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz models offer adaptive cruise control, which automatically uses braking and acceleration to maintain a safe gap between your vehicle and the one ahead.

Paul Green, a senior scientist at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute who has been studying lane-departure warnings systems, warns that if they become annoying, drivers may want to switch them off.

He says simulator testing has shown that the systems may have limited usefulness but won't be harmful.

"At some point, though, we have to get these things into the real world to see how they perform," he says.[/quote]

[Jeff Williams]

In Alabama, only 5% of the drivers use turn signals, to change lanes. Of that 5%, I would say, 1% drive luxury cars. Not a big market, for a device that reminds you to use the turn signal.

I think I would like to have it, along with the active cruise control option, on the M45. It would be something to "play" with, on long trips.

[maxnix]

In Alabama, only 5% of the drivers use turn signals, to change lanes. Of that 5%, I would say, 1% drive luxury cars. Not a big market, for a device that reminds you to use the turn signal.

I think I would like to have it, along with the active cruise control option, on the M45. It would be something to "play" with, on long trips.

They have lane markers in Alabama?

[Jeff Williams]

Not really, We just dodge the trash, construction workers, and truck tire treads.