THE PROBLEM

The following has been noticed quite regularly when car accidents and the the driver actions immediately before the crash have been examined: maximum braking has almost always taken place, but the steering has been missed by the driver leading to a crash, e.g. with a car in front.

WHY?

Powerful braking and simultaneous steering action is difficult to perform - especially when one is pressing unnecessarily the brake pedal with all available power.

The technical problems related to steering were solved years ago when the anti-locking ABS-brakes were developed together with the present emergency braking systems/functions, but the following quite simple but important problem is still remaining.

There is no information for the driver when the emergency braking function (BAS) is being activated, when the brake pedal force is suitable to reach the maximum deceleration. Therefore the driver cannot take full advantage of the system.

This uncertainty of the real function of the brakes leads the driver to react the wrong way. The driver unnecessarily applies more and more power on the brake pedal. This action is often connected with a strong pull from the steering wheel, which makes the steering almost impossible. One might be hesitant, and don't apply enough pressure with the result that the hydraulic brake-assist system is not triggered.

Difficult and unexpected braking conditions (ice, snow, water) are more problematic. Snow itself is not as dangerous as ice but can cause problems if there is packed snow or ice underneath the top layer of snow. Under these conditions one may even feel that the speed is accelerating after pressing the brake pedal. The driver may also try to press once more the pedal or try to pump it. The steering will be far from optimal also, because pressing the brake pedal and observing the deceleration misdirects the attention.

Poor deceleration produces always uncertainty. Therefore it is necessary to inform the driver that the brakes are fully functional contrary to his first impressions.