NEW YORK (April 25, 2014) – Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) was awarded the World Traffic Safety Symposium’s 2014 World Traffic Safety Achievement Award today at the New York International Auto Show. The award was presented to Volvo for the research and development of pedestrian safety features including the company’s pedestrian detection system.
Available first on the upcoming, all-new 2015 XC90, pedestrian detection in darkness also makes the detection and auto brake technology work effectively to protect pedestrians and vehicle occupants when driving in darkness. The technology includes detection and auto brake for other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Also noted by the World Traffic Safety Symposium is Volvo’s work with its pedestrian airbag, the first for an auto manufacturer. When the car* senses it has come in contact with a human, the airbag is deployed from the hood to help protect the pedestrian.
The Honorable David J. Friedman, Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) delivered the event’s keynote address. Other special guest speakers included Barbara J. Fiala, Commissioner, NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles; Chief Thomas M. Chan, NYPD Transportation Bureau; and Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Transportation.
The program also included a panel discussion composed of highly regarded traffic safety experts discussing pedestrian safety including Adam Kopstein, manager, safety and compliance, Volvo Cars of North America.
Each year, the World Traffic Safety Symposium addresses important traffic safety issues in order to minimize injuries and fatalities on America’s roadways. Through its annual Traffic Safety Achievement Awards, the Symposium recognizes organizations and individuals that are creating a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians.
*The pedestrian airbag is currently only available on the Volvo V40, which is not sold in the United States.
About Volvo
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States. For more information please refer to the VCNA media website at: http://www.media.volvocars.com/us, follow Volvo’s blog at: www.volvoblog.us and its Twitter account @volvocarsnews.
About the World Traffic Safety Symposium
The World Traffic Safety Symposium, founded in 1990 was formed to address the growing concern of traffic injuries and fatalities on roadways. Now celebrating its 24th year, the Symposium is dedicated to bringing automobile manufacturers, law enforcement officials, public and private organizations, and the media together to share information and discuss innovative ways to make traveling safer for drivers and pedestrians. Each year, the group gathers research and data from around the globe to create a presentation of the most interesting and innovative advancements in traffic safety. Industry experts, journalists, and manufacturers are invited to attend this showcase of the most cutting-edge, life-saving safety features available in vehicles today.
