Future in car safety

A new safety device developed in Australia could potentially reduce injuries or deaths caused by motor vehicle fires by up to 80%. Labeled ‘Vehicle Safety Shutdown’ (VSS), the new system could easily be manufactured in commercially viable numbers and could one day become mandatory in all new cars. Best of all, it can also be retrofitted to older models.

In the US alone, it’s estimated that more than 2,000 people die from car fires every year with an additional 1,000 suffering from severe burns. Unfortunately, the VSS system is still in prototype form, but according to its designer, there is “no reason for delaying its inclusion into motor vehicles.” Too bad this Ferrari F430 didn’t have one.
Read Article

Willis - 4/30/2007 2:20:27 PM

+5 Boost

Two words for you: SHUT IT

ceric - 4/30/2007 3:03:42 PM

+3 Boost

BMW already had the device long ago that automatically disconnects the battery terminal in case of a crash (to prevent spark from happening). I am guessing it works similarly.

indoctrin8ed - 4/30/2007 5:33:21 PM

-1 Boost

Yes, my M5 had this and my M3 does too.

I don't know for sure on my M3, but upon airbag deployment, the M5 would shot off the engine, disable the ignition, turn on the flashers, and if enabled, call for help with GPS coodinates, all using an auxiliary power source (when main battery disconnect kicked in).

indoctrin8ed - 4/30/2007 5:33:57 PM

-1 Boost

Damn, need an edit control. That's "shut off" not "Shot off". lol.