Volvo's vehicle safety record is enviable, but its latest innovations extend to before its vehicles have even been started. The company has developed an experimental car with a 'multi lock system', incorporating a seat-belt with built-in breathalyser and an ignition key that can regulate the car's maximum speed.
The built-in breathalyser, attached to the driver's seat belt, must be used before the car will start. If the driver is under the legal alcohol limit, the breathalyser displays a green light and, if the seat belt is fastened, the engine can be started. However, if the driver is over the limit, a red light shows and the engine will not start.
"We know that a very large proportion of car accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities are caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol," says Ingrid Skogsmo, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre. "According to the EU Commission, about 10,000 people a year die in alcohol-related road accidents on European roads. Many car accidents also result in serious personal injuries because drivers and passengers fail to wear their seat belts. That is why we are working on the development of a breathalyser lock."
Particularly at risk of being involved in car accidents are youngsters. Those aged between 18 and 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a crash as those aged between 26 and 50, according to EU statistics. Accidents often involve high speed and inadequate experience, so it is this high-risk group that could benefit most from Volvo's multi lock system. "Using our special ignition key, we can easily program the car so it cannot exceed 90 km/h, for instance. This gives parents an added measure of security when they lend their cars to their children with fresh driving licences," says Skogsmo. "This experimental car is an important step for us in evaluating the possibility to offer multi lock technology to all our car customers."
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