Mercedes-Benz ATTENTION ASSIST Explained
No other luxury automaker looks out for the safety of both you and your loved ones quite like Mercedes-Benz. Staying safe from the unexpected on the danger is always important. However, sometimes the greatest threat to the driver’s safety is the driver themselves. Fatigue remains a constant enemy of driver awareness and reaction times. Making things even worse, the signs and symptoms of driver fatigue can appear with minimal warning and have catastrophic implications. Fortunately, the engineers at Mercedes-Benz have developed ATTENTION ASSIST as a solution to this dangerous problem facing drivers. Let’s take a closer look at how this innovative Mercedes-Benz safety feature works.
Fatigued / Drowsy Driving Statistics*
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013. However, these numbers are underestimated, and up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.
- An estimated 1 in 25 adult drivers (aged 18 or older) report having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days.
- According to a survey among nearly 150,000 adults in 19 states and the District of Columbia: 4% reported that they had fallen asleep while driving at least once in the previous 30 days.
Equally as problematic as impaired, fatigued or drowsy driving remains a major problem in the United States. Driving while sleepy can reduce reaction time, impacts your ability to make smart driving decisions, and hinders your ability to focus on the road ahead. It’s important for both your safety and that of your fellow motorists that you avoid getting behind the wheel if you haven’t had enough rest.
*Source: https://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdrowsydriving/index.html
How Does ATTENTION ASSIST Work?
The very first technology of its kind in the industry, Mercedes-Benz ATTENTION ASSIST relies on an algorithm and specialized sensor to detect driver fatigue. During the first few minutes of your drive, the system analyzes your personal driving habits using over 70 different types of parameters. A key component of the sensor features the ability to record steering movements and steering speed. Exhaustive research by Mercedes-Benz engineers has revealed that tired drivers tend to make minor steering errors and change their steering behavior slightly.
After analyzing the responses and parameters, the system will issue the audible and visible prompt, “Time for a break”. In most Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a coffee cup icon will appear on your dashboard. In some models you can also display your detected attention level in the instrument cluster, see how long you’ve been driving, or even get directions from the navigation system to the nearest rest area. ATTENTION ASSIST helps prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue.
