FIRST, the automatic transmission - out goes the clutch pedal. Next, the cruise control - out goes the gas pedal (it is still there, but technically it is redundant). Now, a car that stops by itself. Are the days of the brake pedal numbered?

Mercedes-Benz, the first to have Distronic adaptive cruise control back in 1998, has brought in the first car fitted with Distronic Plus.

Using two radar systems, Distronic Plus allows for feet-free driving up to 200kmh. It will also adapt to stop-start traffic.

What it doesn't do (yet) is come to a halt in front of a completely stationary object. In this situation, it sheds speed by applying 40 per cent of the brake force, sounds a buzzer and tightens the seatbelts just before impact.

At a controlled demonstration, an S350 with Distronic Plus does just that, time and again. But how does it perform in real-life traffic?

I took the car for a couple of days to find out. And I must say I am impressed.

On the highway, flip the cruise control stalk to your desired cruising speed, pick the distance you want to have between you and the car in front, and sit back.

The car slows down when the vehicle in front slows down. It reacts quickly enough to avoid ploughing down a couple of hatchbacks that stray into its lane without warning.

It is so responsive that overtaking manoeuvres can be executed without your right foot going anywhere near the accelerator.

All you do is steer.

Want to exit the expressway? Just signal, filter to the left lane and the car brakes to suit the slower traffic. If there is a vehicle exiting, you simply follow.

But if there isn't, you should re-engage your brain and use the brakes. Still, the car will gladly suffer fools. For a sharp left curve, with no vehicle in front of me, I play dumb and leave the cruise control at 80kmh.

Three-quarters into the fast sweeper, the S350's buzzer goes off, just a split second before the tyres squeal. It is amazing. With this warning system, I imagine fender benders will be things of the past. In an S-class, the $12,000 feature will pay for itself if you avoid just one bumper cruncher.

On a morbid note, it might be impossible for two cars fitted with Distronic Plus to be involved in a head-on collision (up to 200kmh, at least).

But for city slickers, the feature is a panacea for all the aggravation of peak hour commute. In fact, it is so neat you almost wish you're caught in crawling traffic.