Toyota testing alarm, camera-mounted cars for elderly drivers

Rabu, 24 April 2013 01:03

(NAGOYA-Kyodo) Toyota Motor Corp. is testing cars equipped with a camera to detect traffic signals and stop signs as well as sound and panel alarms to warn of speeding in an attempt to reduce traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers that it says take place mostly at or near intersections.

A press briefing was given Monday about a series of ongoing test sessions scheduled from February through May with 50 drivers aged at least 65 are participating in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Toyota is hoping to develop a marketable system after collecting data on alarm frequencies, timing and sound volumes.

Drivers did not slow down to 5 kilometers per hour or less near an intersection that requires a stop in 65.8 percent of test driving cases conducted so far, according to the company.

Toyota says traffic accidents caused by drivers aged 65 or older have been on the rise, with 49 percent of fatal accidents reported at intersections or nearby. Many of these cases stemmed from the drivers not adequately checking their surroundings, the automaker said.

In test driving, a camera is also mounted inside the car to record whether the driver is checking traffic at an intersection with their eyes.