EXCESSIVE speed causes 30 per cent of all severe road accidents, according to the World Health Organisation. One way to lower this figure is, of course, to get drivers to reduce their speed. But if they are unable to slow down for some reason or another, Mercedes-Benz can do it.

Mercedes Benz S-Class airbags

Introducing the Pre-Safe Brake system. Dubbed the 'electronic crumple zone' by Mercedes-Benz engineers, what the system does is to provide for automatic partial braking just before a collision. This reduces the impact speed, thus lessening the severity of the accident.

Radar technology is employed in Pre-safe Brake to scan the situation in front of the car and detect a potential accident. Say, you are travelling on an expressway and the car in front of you has stopped. But you don't notice this because you are distracted by some accident vehicles on the road shoulder.

About 2.6 seconds before impact, the driver gets visual and acoustic warnings. After the audible alarm is sounded three times and the driver still does not respond, Pre-Safe Brake intervenes with automatic partial braking about 1.6 seconds before the accident. This autonomous braking intervention, which has a deceleration of up to about 0.4 g, prompts the driver to act - either to brake hard or take evasive action.

The Pre-Safe Brake system thus acts as an 'electric crumple zone' to reduce impact of the energy by 40 per cent, according to Mercedes-Benz.

At the same time, the anticipatory Pre-Safe occupant safety system's precautionary measures kick in - the seatbelts are tightened and the seat position optimised. The air cushions in the multi-contour seats are also inflated to envelop and support the driver, front passenger and rear seat occupants.

A recent demonstration of this technology in the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class also displayed the advantages of Brake Assist Plus and Distronic Plus.

The former also uses the long- and short-range radar system to monitor the traffic situation ahead and emits a warning if the gap is too small or the approach speed too high. If a rear-end collision is deemed imminent, Brake Assist Plus calculates the ideal braking assistance and increases the braking pressure. This helps the driver apply the maximum braking pressure - even if his or her right foot does not - for the best possible deceleration of the car.

In simulator tests, Brake Assist Plus reduced the accident rate from 44 to 11 per cent.

Distronic Plus is also a radar-based system which monitors the area in front of your Mercedes to keep it at the right distance from other traffic. In stop-and-go situations, the system automatically brakes the car to a standstill if necessary and accelerates it back to the required speed when the traffic starts moving again.

For driver convenience, Distronic Plus operates at speeds between zero and 200 kmh.

According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US, around 31 per cent of all accidents with fatalities or injuries are rear-end collisions. With these safety innovations from Mercedes-Benz, the danger of such serious mishaps can be significantly reduced.

Mercedes Benz S-Class model showing the front crumple zone

Safety first

SAFETY is a core value of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the German luxury carmaker has been involved in researching and developing safety technology for almost 70 years.

It is a pioneer in several safety features for cars and the company continues to raise the bar for new innovations in automotive safety.

Since it invented the automobile in 1886, Mercedes-Benz has rolled out many landmark occupant and handling-related inventions in its production models. Here are some of the three-pointed star's safety milestones.

1951: Crumple zones

Mercedes-Benz applies for a patent for the world's first safety body with a stiff passenger safety cell and defined crumple zones. It goes into production in 1959. Today, the carmaker conducts over 500 crash tests with complete vehicles each year, in addition to 50,000 computer simulated crash tests.

1957: Seat belts

The option of a lap belt is offered for the front seats in Mercedes passenger cars. In 1961, diagonal shoulder belts replace the lap belts, followed by three-point static seat belts in 1968. In 1973, three-point inertia-reel seat belts and front head restraints are standard in all Mercs. Today, the car seatbelt is recognised as the No 1 life saver in accidents.

1971: Airbags

Mercedes applies for a patent for the airbag. The world premiere of the driver's airbag takes place in 1980 in the S-Class saloon and coupe. The front-passenger airbag is introduced in 1987. A pair of front airbags becomes standard in 1991.

1978: ABS

The anti-lock braking system premieres in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. ABS becomes a standard feature for all Mercs in 1992. Locked wheels which cannot be steered are now a thing of the past.

1982: Multi-link rear suspension

The multi-link independent rear suspension is unveiled with the 'Baby Benz' - the Mercedes-Benz 190.

1991: Xenon lamps

The first xenon headlamps are showcased in the F100 concept car.

1994: ESP

THE Electronic Stability Program or ESP is launched. ESP brakes the outside wheels and if necessary, reduces engine torque in extreme situations to reduce the risk of the car skidding. Since ESP was made a standard feature in Mercedes cars in 1998, it has reduced the number of accidents involving severe loss of control by more than 40 per cent.

2002: Pre-Safe

THE Pre-Safe anticipatory occupant-protective system makes its world premiere in the S-Class. If Pre-Safe detects an imminent collision, it minimises occupant injury by taking pre-emptive measures such as pre-tensioning the seat belts, moving the front passenger seat into the upright position, and closing the sunroof.