Skip advert
Advertisement
Opinion

'Volvo is embarking on an ambitious push for zero fatalities in its cars'

Despite its pioneering safety history, Volvo is being more ambitious than ever before in its pursuit for safety, says John Mcllory

OPINION Volvo

Volvo has long been known as a brand focused on road safety. But 60 years after the company invented the three-point safety belt – and then opened up the patent to help every car occupant – the Swedes are embarking on an even more ambitious push as they strive towards their goal of zero fatalities in Volvo cars by 2020.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It is hard to imagine how any other brand could have made the sort of announcements that Volvo boss Håkan Samuelsson spelt out at the company’s press conference last week. Could you envisage Mercedes, Audi or BMW slapping a 112mph speed limit on every car they produce, for example? Or using geofencing technology to cut that maximum further around areas with more vulnerable pedestrians, such as schools?

UK to introduce EU-mandated speed limiters to new cars from 2022

Volvo’s move is as clever as it is well-intentioned. The company is forging a position as the ‘thinking’ alternative to the established German brands, and a curveball on safety – not least, the opening up of 60 years’ worth of research on the subject – is every bit as useful in that respect as the bold jump towards electrification.

In wider terms, though, the ideas do look bold enough to kick-start a general conversation, within the car industry, on how much responsibility lies with the driver/owner and how much with the firm that supplied the vehicle. How many of us, as car buyers, have had any training on how to cope with a vehicle at 112mph, let alone 20mph beyond that point?

Much of the noise about safety during the past couple of years has been focused on autonomous cars that do all of the driving for us. But Volvo’s initiative may end up showing the rest of the industry – and the customers who support it – that there are more attainable, affordable and practical ways of making everyone’s journeys just that little bit safer.

Do you agree with John? Let us know what you think in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

World of Volvo: the essential museum trip for fans of Sweden’s beloved boxy car brand
Volvo PV445 on display in World of Volvo museum

World of Volvo: the essential museum trip for fans of Sweden’s beloved boxy car brand

We make a trip to Sweden to visit Volvo’s new museum and experience centre in Gothenburg
Features
18 Nov 2024
Volvo won’t implement full self-driving technology until it’s “100 per cent safe”
Volvo EX90 - front tracking

Volvo won’t implement full self-driving technology until it’s “100 per cent safe”

Volvo’s safety expert says FSD needs to have a perfect environment to meet firm’s standards
News
8 Nov 2024
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
New Volvo EX60: mid-size electric SUV will use next-generation tech in fight against BMW and Audi
Volvo EX60 exclusive image - watermarked

New Volvo EX60: mid-size electric SUV will use next-generation tech in fight against BMW and Audi

The new Volvo EX60 will arrive in 2026 and slot in between the compact EX40 and seven-seater EX90 SUVs
News
5 Sep 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
22 Nov 2024
New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer
New Jaguar logo 1

New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer

Jaguar has revealed its new logos and styling details ahead of its transition into a luxury EV brand
News
19 Nov 2024