Lane departure warning helps avoid crashes: UofM

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Crash warning systems make drivers more aware of the traffic around them, maintains lane discipline and reduces the risk of accidents, according to results from a pilot project by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Takata Corp.

Using Takata’s SafeTraK Lane Departure system, 38 percent of commercial drivers report that the system prevented them from potentially having a crash, and 83 percent said they would prefer a truck equipped with the integrated warning systems.

"Today’s commercial truck driver faces many distractions while on the road for long hours, including drowsiness," says Kirk Morris, vice president, product management and business development for Takata Electronics. "The SafeTraK system helps drivers maintain their lanes, know when to stop for rest breaks, and measure their on-road driving performance real time."

The Takata SafeTraK system was also tested in a passenger car study.