Volvo has launched a plan to eradicate deaths of Volvo drivers involved in accidents by 2020. Every year car accidents cause 1.2 million deaths and 50 million injuries. The Swedish car company already has ignitions that turn off when the driver is drunk, and sensors that sound alarms when they detect drowsiness.
After they eradicate death in their cars, Volvo will move onto accidents in general. By turning the car into one giant bumper, and expanding "smart engine" capabilities, Volvos will think for the driver, hopefully avoiding accidents.
Will consumers gravitate toward a car that guarantees to be death-free? Should buyers get a cut in insurance rates? Should governments invest more in this type of research, or is this an example of how the private sector is sometimes better at solving problems? How much would you pay for one of these buggies?
Uniqlo
Claudie Pierlot
Madeleine Thompson
i don't know, but if anyone can do it Volvo can. i have a Volvo and i love it to pieces. i was in a very bad car accident after which my parents suggested i buy a volvo..i have been a volvo driver ever since. it is a great car..
1Volvos are great cars, but I feel saying you guarantee ad death free car, is just leaving yourself open for some lawsuits.
2this is just one more example of my freedoms being taken away. an engine that turns off when i'm drunk? if i want to drive intoxicated then i should be able to. i'm an american!!!
3how does it tell if you are drunk? what if someone had one beer and a bunch of vicodin? what if some rich teenagers took their mom's volvo for a joyride and smoked pot in it? or if they are from Austin, what if the parents went for a joyride and smoked pot it?
I don't think
it's failsafe.
4hahaha Kris!
Cars that think for you scare the hell out of me. All it does is allow the driver to basically be asleep at the wheel and that causes more accidents. Like the car that can paralell park itself?? I'm sorry but there are basic skills that people NEED to have to be able to have the PRIVILEGE of driving. I remember my mama used to say "No one ever got into an accident because they were paying too MUCH attention"
So true.
Maybe Volvo should work on making cars that are fuel efficient... or have better performance... or look nicer...
5Maybe they have a breathalyzer in it?
6They definitely should put a marijuana detector in this car. they probably think that isn't their target market, but I believe otherwise.
7I will never forget the day I went out with my friend and his wealthy parents, and noticed they were on the other side of the bar passing a joint around with their friends.
And one of my former coworkers gets high every weekend. She's in her 50's, a mom, and drives a volvo station wagon.
8cabaker: you are so right. i used to be the nanny for a family who had an X70. one of the many instruments on the dash panel gave real-time gas mileage. the average? 10mpg. and they lived atop one of the highest peaks in san francisco. STOOOOPID.
910 mpg!!!!! That is insane! I could never drive a car that got that little gas mileage, I would die of starvation from not being able to afford to eat.
10Yay Volvo XC90!
11Those Swedes and their silly fear of being mangled in a heap of burning, twisted metal.
12Volvo is the perfect manufacturer to do this, as they have a long standing reputation as a safe car. I think it's great that they're taking the initiative to protect their consumers. Now if only they would move on to epa ratings and do a bit for the environment...
13I think it is very dangerous of Volvo to put this type of a guarantee on the product. However, I am sure that there is a booklet of fine print to go along with the guarantee which covers their @$$&$.
Never the less the car I'm sure is a fantastic product and I say good for them.
I gave up my car in 2002 and made it my goal to try and go with out owning a car for the rest of my life. So far I'm at 5 1/2 years, let's see how long I last.
14That's so cool hypnoticmix! I don't have a car, either. I love it.
15BTW, I think all auto manufacturers should be looking at better gas mileage and performance, thats not a slam at volvo.
16I'm a terrible driver, so I would totally be into this. If it parallel parks for me, all the better--I always need about 50 feet of space before I can even attempt it
I don't know if I'd ever truly believe that it's death-proof, though.
17Do you think people with "death free" cars might drive more recklessly, putting other people in danger?
18Good point Liberty!! Golf claps for you!!
I think they will ABSOLUTELY drive more recklessly...
19I dont think they would.
Because then you would deliberately be putting your very beautiful expensive car in danger, too.
And who likes dealing with their car insurance, car repair man, etc, needlessly?
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