One of the best ways to avoid injury or death in an automotive accident is to avoid that accident altogether. Some automakers already include automatic braking and crash avoidance systems in their vehicles, but they’re often expensive options on luxury brands. Toyota has announced plans to offer significantly cheaper safety systems starting with the redesigned 2016 Toyota Rav 4, and Lexus RX. Both vehicles are set to be unveiled during the New York Auto Show.
The systems – Toyota Safety Sense and Lexus Safety Systems+ – will include audio and visual cues to alert the driver in case of emergency. Using a combination of laser radar and cameras, the system will first notify drivers in the instance of a stopped vehicle or other imminent collision. The system can apply braking pressure if the driver does not react quickly enough in attempts to avoid an accident. Additionally a lane-departure system will scan for lane markers to ensure that drivers don’t start to stray. If they do, more audio and visual cues to get the driver’s attention. Finally a pedestrian warning system will have similar capabilities as the accident avoidance system, automatically braking if a pedestrian is spotted.
Jim Lentz, CEO Toyota Motor North America touted the systems briefly in an interview:
Pushing these systems across our lineup can help protect people in the event of a crash. More importantly it will help prevent some crashes from ever happening in the first place.
After making their debut in the 2016 Rav 4 and RX, Toyota plans to offer these systems on all Toyota and Lexus models and on all trims by the end of 2017. The Toyota Safety Sense will cost between $300 and $500 while the Lexus Safety System+ will run from $500 – $635 when they become available. If these safety systems work as anticipated, they’ll be well worth the cost.
Will these extra safety options make you consider Toyota or Lexus for your next vehicle purchase? Let us know in the comments or on your favorite social media site.
[button link=”http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/03/30/toyota-collision-mitigation-cheaper/70688362/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: USA Today[/button]Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
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