IRVINE, CA – Studies show that up to 90 percent of all traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction. Volvo Cars introduces Driver Alert Control — with a technology solution that is a world-first in passenger cars. The system aims to alert the driver when his or her concentration level is affected, for instance during long journeys.

Another new system, Lane Departure Warning, alerts the driver if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason.

Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert Control will be part of the same option package, called Driver Alert System. It will be available in the Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 at the end of 2007.

"Real life safety is the key to our safety philosophy. When it comes to preventive safety, we have the same approach as when we develop protective systems. In other words that our research and technical development focus on areas where new technology can create significant results in real-life-traffic," says Ingrid Skogsmo, Director of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

Based on the accident statistics above, Volvo Cars is focusing on developing efficient technology to help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of accidents caused by distraction and driver fatigue.