Intelligent traffic systems 'could improve road safety'

Date: 30/8/2011

Intelligent traffic systems could boost road safety and cut traffic congestion, one expert claims.

According to freelance motoring journalist Carlton Boyce, such systems will be able to control the distance between cars and maximise the use of space on the roads.

By doing so, he states that congestion will be reduced, while features such as linking GPS systems with traffic reports could allow cars to navigate around problematic areas.

Noting that intelligent transport systems can also cut the number of collisions, he explains that "the car can brake automatically and steer away from the collision using GPS and road-proximity sensors to ensure that they don't steer into other cars or road furniture."

Meanwhile, the recent Sainsbury's Car Insurance Driver Behaviour Index for 2011 revealed that motorists have improved their safe driving habits in comparison to last year, with fewer individuals claiming to have used their mobile phone to write a text message while in control of a vehicle.

Mr Boyce concludes that within 20 years, intelligent transport systems may dominate traffic in the UK, with traditional manual car driving for the most part taking place in off-road situations.

Posted by Sarah Bailey