Automatic braking system 'could cut the number of accidents'

Date: 30/4/2010

Drivers travelling in the new Audi A8 may be interested to hear that the manufacturer is installing a new braking system designed to cut the risk of a critical situation.

The Bosch automatic emergency braking system can predict the flow of traffic and warn drivers as well as being able to react to prevent an accident.

If the motorist does not realise a vehicle which is getting closer to theirs a warning sound will ring out and at the same time there will be an automatic partial braking action.

Dr Werner Struth, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division, said: "Roughly 80 per cent of drivers do not hit the brakes at all before a rear-end collision, or do not use the car's full braking capacity."

Peugeot recently held an event at Durham University to highlight the progress it has made on its fleet of sustainable transport.

The company had a number of efficient vehicles on show, including the new i0n four-seat electric car, which will be released at the end of the year.