Last year in Germany, the police authorities reported a total of 3034 accidents triggered by fatigue, including 1786 collisions resulting in personal injury. This equates to about 0.5 percent of all serious accidents. Nonetheless, safety experts believe that the figure is much higher. This is because at the present time it is difficult to verify signs of fatigue by the time accidents are reconstructed.

Scientific studies revealed that between 10 and 20 percent of traffic accidents is caused by drowsiness. According to investigations conducted by insurance companies in said territory, 1 out of 4 fatal motorway accidents are caused by fatigue. Further, the probability of being killed in a road accident due to fatigue is 2.5 times higher than for other causes.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the United States, over 100,000 accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Out of which, 1500 people are killed and 71,000 are injured.

In Canada, a study about fatigue at the wheel established that 1 out of 5 has at some time nodded off while driving. Finding also showed that two thirds of fatigue-induced accidents occur during nighttime. Majority of incidents occur in the early hours of the morning between 2 and 6. They can also occur in the middle of the afternoon.

Moreover, safety experts employed by automakers are concentrating on improving safety features of their lineup. According to automotive reports one of the major causes of serious traffic accidents is over-fatigue. Moreover, safety experts are trying to develop a system that recognizes fatigue to warn the driver. This system will be integrated to automobiles to be accessible to drivers.

Engineers from the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre also conducted several studies and testing regarding this potent auto system. Said engineers have tested more than 200 motorists on motorways and in the driving simulator. This system is expected to be released in a few years’ time.

In order to obtain objective indicators of fatigue, Mercedes safety experts employed electroencephalogram (EEG) and other physiological readings. Another method used is the analysis of dynamic driving data.

Mercedes assistance systems will be mated to Mercedes-Benz car parts to avoid real-life accident scenarios. Today, Mercedes safety systems like Electronic Stability Program and Brake Assist, have contributed significantly to the reduction of serious road accident.

According to studies, many motorists are actually able to recognize when they are tired, but by then it is often too late. Moreover, safety experts recommend that drivers should take a break when they are tired to avoid road accidents.

Although the prices of gas and fuel have already started to point down after those months when the prices continued to soar to amazing heights, it looks like new and younger drivers have gone more intelligent when choosing what kind of vehicle to purchase for their own. According to a recent study, these younger buyers are opting to have diesel cars and vehicles so as to save on costs. The extra dollars could then be used to purchase other items that could give their car an added boost or color from accessories to Volvo performance parts to other things.

However, experts have been wondering if this could all be because of the new kind of fuel that has arrived in the market the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, or ULSD for short. This new type of fuel has already been made available in various gas stations all around the country. Aside from this, another aspect that could have made the younger ones turn to diesel vehicles is the arrival of the new 2007 Mercedes Benz E320 BLUETEC which also runs on diesel fuel.

According to a survey done, around half of those that belonged to Generation Y, or those who are eighteen to twenty nine years old, have considered purchasing or leasing a diesel car. Aside from this forty six per cent of Generation X people, or those who are thirty to forty one years old, also considered such. The results of this survey actually echoed the results of another study that J.D. Power and Associates did on diesel cars and its sales. And in the end, the J.D. Power and Associates study did say that they are predicting a huge rise in the number of sales of such a vehicle.

Allen Schaeffer is Diesel Technology Forum’s executive director and he does claim, “We are seeing that younger drivers are eager to embrace new clean diesel as they look to reduce their fuel bill and other environmental footprint, thereby demonstration that they are socially responsible.” He even further emphasizes, “Yet it is also clear that while consumers want greener options that help them save money at the pump, they do not want to forego the performance, reliability and innovative features they have come to expect in today’s automobiles.”

The survey that was done took more than a thousand Americans as respondents. This one was sponsored by the Diesel Technology Forum as well as by Mercedes Benz’s arm in the USA. The statistics from the study also showed that those younger American drivers are still looking for ways to actually do away with high fuel consumption. In fact, they are proactive in this regard and one of the things that they have chosen to do would be to actually lean towards cars that are powered by diesel fuel.

Experience and expertise of Volvo is reflected in its lineup of vehicles. In fact, its reputation has been recognized in the recent towing competition. Volvo V50 D5 Sport was tagged as ‘The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2007′. Said car from Volvo also won the ‘£25,001 to £33,000′. Said towcar competition was joined by 41 vehicle models including rivals from Lexus, Saab, Jeep and Mercedes.

The Caravan Club chairman, Bob Black MBE said, “The Volvo V50 D5 Sport displayed poise and elegance. Its modern good looks will turn heads and Volvo maintains its reputation for quality and safety. The Volvo V50 is a pleasure to drive and it really is a superb towcar. This vehicle is sure to be popular with our members, both as a new and used car in future years.”

In said competition, experts commend V50 D5’s crisp acceleration, smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission, confident brakes, easy to use handbrake and fantastic stability’. These qualities were attributed to powerful Volvo parts which include the 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel engine. The latter delivers 180PS and with the standard Geartronic transmission can achieve 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds. Its power plant can be controlled to achieve the right torque levels.

“We are delighted to win the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year award. These awards are a great recognition of Volvo’s commitment to developing good towcars and carry a great deal of respect from the public and our retailers,” said Hugh Reid, managing director, Volvo Car UK.

Volvo’s commendable towing capabilities are well known. In fact, it performs towing tests for all its new models. These tests are done both in Sweden and Arizona. Said tests also include measurements and calculations to optimize its towing performance.

Mark Blundell, the former Formula One driver also noted, “It was an eye-opening experience to see how the cars are tested so rigorously and professionally. I am delighted to be involved with The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year competition as caravanning is hugely popular with motorsport fans and thousands of them travel to racing circuits with their caravans as they provide the perfect mobile accommodation for a race weekend.”

Vehicles are more than just heavy steel; it means unleashing torque and horsepower to make a whole new difference in driving. And they are in for a treat! This year, automakers roll out the red carpet to flaunt their power lineup with incredible levels of styling, performance and nuance. For that reason, what wheels are hot for the year 2007?

According to auto analysts, this year is going to be a good year for cars. From trend-setting superminis to breathtaking supercars and everything in between, the needs and whims of the aficionados will certainly be answered. The auto industry is showered by lots of choices and that fact alone makes 2007 a very interesting year.

First on the desire list is the Audi R8 supercar which is scheduled to go on sale this summer. The car is priced at $120,000 to $130,000. It is based on the 2003 Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, not the automaker’s R8 race car. It comes with a striking headlight design that uses LED technology. Audi said the internal reflectors of the new car resemble those found in miniature Sydney Opera Houses. Compared to conventional auto headlamps, LEDs used in the Audi R8 are smaller hence they do not occupy a great amount of space much to the pleasure of Audi designers.

Next on the must-drive list is Volvo S80. Bits of ridiculously sophisticated auto materials are put together by Volvo’s pool of designers to come up with a functional luxury sedan. The all-new sedan from the automaker is equipped with one-of-a-kind features like the in-car heartbeat monitor that alerts the driver through key fob when there is a person approaching the car. Volvo auto parts in the Volvo S80 are aftermaths of meticulous testing to boost performance, styling and safety.

What makes the Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG coupe a standout? Enthusiasts say it is the cruise control integrated in it that delivers an autopilot function for stop-and-go traffic. This is Mercedes’ way of aiding drivers to pay attention on the road ahead. The system is equipped with radars to monitor the distance of the car with other cars. The coupe steers, brakes and accelerates when required to trail another car.

Another irresistible lure to auto aficionados is the inclusion of mind-boggling upgrades to the automakers’ lineup. The upgraded models boast improved technology to make fanatics unable to resist. Come Lexus LS Hybrid, a vehicle that runs on gasoline or electricity. The regular version of the vehicle is powered by a V8 engine that produces 380 horsepower. The electric motor in the hybrid version assists the V8 to generate more than 430 units of horsepower. So far, the hybrid version of the Lexus LS is deemed a status symbol of choice.

Lexus is not the only automaker which has the nerve to show off its innovative prowess. Aston Martin, Maybach and Rolls-Royce also exhibited their pride vehicles. Aston Martin boasts of its V-8 Vantage Convertible. Maybach 62 S was also unveiled to create a hot-rod version of the 62 sedan. The Bentley Azure drop-top version is also made more captivating than before.

2007 is a year of remarkable auto innovations that could etch a worthy milestone for the industry. Aficionados clamoring for hot, high-end cars would be very much benefited.