Volvo is taking the next step in creating a vehicle that can drive itself. They are preparing to produce a vehicle in 2014 that will allow the car to automatically follow the vehicle in front of them in slow-moving queues up to 50 km/hr.

The driver will activate the traffic jam assistance function with the press of a button. The engine, brakes, and steering will respond accordingly. The Adaptive Cruise Control (already available in the 2012 Volvo V40 hatchback) automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front and controls the steering. The car will then follow the vehicle directly in front; however, the person driving is always in charge and can take back control at any time.

Americans spend more than 100 hours a year commuting - that’s more than the average vacation time (2 weeks at 80 hours)! Drivers in large cities spend even longer than that commuting to and from work daily. Volvo’s focus is on making the commute less stressful for the driver.

Volvo’s mission is to increase driver confidence in self-driving cars. Vehicles that require very little human interaction is a major focus in Volvo’s development work. This new traffic jam assistance function is a big step in achieving that goal. While it will still take time to develop a car that can safely drive with no human interaction, they are certainly taking the necessary baby steps to encourage confidence in such a vehicle.

When it comes to safety, Volvo is a leader in the automotive industry. Volvo released its first car equipped with an airbag in 1987, and has continued to lead the world in firsts for airbag technology. Volvo was the first car maker to equip their cars with seat-mounted side airbags and the inflatable curtain. In 2012, Volvo celebrated the airbags 25th birthday with the introduction of the pedestrian airbag in the Volvo V40 hatchback. This impressive technology is now protecting pedestrians outside the car as well as those inside the car.

Volvo has been an industry leader in perfecting airbag technology, timing, and effectiveness. They also have successfully proven that seat belts and airbags are to be used together; one or the other will not necessarily ensure the safety of a passenger. Volvo created the 3-point safety belt back in 1959. When the airbag was introduced, some thought that the airbags would replace safety belts. Volvo successfully proved that was not the case, and that both safety features should work in unison.

Airbag technology has changed quite a bit since it was first introduced 25 years ago, and Volvo has been key in the process. In their efforts to build the safest cars in the world, Volvo continues to research, develop, and innovate new airbag and safety solutions.

If you are in the market for a new car and safety is at the top of your priority list, a Volvo might be the right fit for you!

AT&T’s campaign to stop texting and driving has spread like wildfire across the country. AT&T is encouraging young drivers across the nation to take the pledge to never text and drive.  Here are some of the ways AT&T is encouraging people to take the pledge:

Commercials: Celebrities are taking the pledge and encouraging others to do the same. They’re doing their part to make texting and driving look very uncool.  

Tweeting: AT&T is encouraging those who have taken the pledge to tweet their participation using the hashtag “#itcanwait.”

Website: The campaign website is full of interesting information and scary statistics on texting and driving. There is a place to “Share your story” or read others’ stories, try a texting and driving simulator, see celebrity videos, or find ways to get involved and spread the word. The website is super-interactive, colorful, and targeted to young drivers, who are the most common texting and driving offenders.  Check it out at www.itcanwait.com.

Take the Pledge: Drivers can take the pledge through the website www.itcanwait.com and choose to post their pledge on Facebook or keep it private.

Here are some surprising statistics about texting and driving:
•    People who text and drive are 23% more likely to be in an accident.
•    75% of teens say texting and driving is common among their friends.
•    More than 100,000 crashes a year are caused by drivers who are texting.

Here at CarLocate, we pledge to never text and drive. No text is worth the risk. We hope you will take a minute to make the commitment this year to never text and drive!