Advanced Lane Departure Warning System Set To Debut
Published: 21st April 2004
System Helps Prevent Drivers From Drifting Out of Lanes
Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, announced the availability later this year of a new Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, which alerts drivers of an unintended movement of the vehicle out of a designated traffic lane.The new system, which utilises a small camera, speed sensor, an indicator and an audible warning buzzer, will be offered this autumn on 2005 models of Infiniti’s popular FX crossover sport utility vehicle – the first production application of LDW in North America. The LDW system will also be available on the next generation M45 performance luxury sedan, which is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2005 as a 2006 model.
"Studies show that 55% of fatal accidents in the U.S. are caused by lane departure*," said Robert Yakushi, Director, Product Safety, Regulatory, Accessory Quality, Nissan North America, Inc. "These are caused by various factors, including driver distraction, inattention or drowsiness. The Lane Departure Warning system generates a warning to help alert the driver that the vehicle is about to move out of its lane."
*Source: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration 2003 study based on 2001 data
The Infiniti LDW system is temporarily disabled by driver activation of the vehicle’s turn signals, which informs the system’s control unit of intended lane changes. The system also features a manual cancel switch, which allows the driver to turn the system off when desired. The system automatically resets when the vehicle is restarted.
