Here is a an interesting video we found over at Mercedes-Benz TV. Mercedes-Benz is testing driverless cars with the assistance systems of the future. Using GPS and radio, the developers are constantly in touch with the automated cars keeping them safely on course. This automated assistance system will help gather important data to make driving even safer in the future. What do you think of Mercedes-Benz’s automated test driving?

In light of tomorrow being national “No Phone Zone” day (announced by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios) here is an article we found on GoArticles.com written by Jack Landry that stresses the dangers of texting while driving.  Some experts even believe that texting while driving is worse than operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol! Let’s put an end to distracted driving!!! 

“Consider all the debate that has surrounded making cell phone calls while driving. It has led to laws against cell phones in cars because of the deaths they have caused.

But with the advent of texting, a new evil has arisen. Talking on a phone while driving is dangerous, but texting while driving has surpassed it in danger.

What makes it so much more dangerous than talking on a cell phone is the sheer distraction that it causes. When talking, your eyes can still be on the road and you have some control of your surroundings.

When sending messages, those comforts are swiped away. Your eyes are off the road and focused on the message or e-mail. Even if it is for 2 seconds, those are 2 seconds that you are not aware of your surroundings, and 2 seconds that could change your life.

Some experts say that texting is so risky that it is even more dangerous than drunken operation of a car. That is startling considering how many people die every year from careless drunk drivers.

In a 2009 study done by Car and Driver magazine, these results were found. Compared to being drunk while operating a vehicle, sending a message or e-mail had a farther stopping distance when put in a dangerous situation.

While this is one important study, other scientific articles about the dangers of texting while driving are surprisingly slim. The frequency of these articles will probably increase over time as the problem will become bigger and bigger.

To counteract the amount of deaths and tragedies by this problem, many countries and states in the United States have enacted laws that either ban or limit texting while operating a car. A few countries in the world have even banned all use of cell phones while driving, either talking or sending messages.”

To read the full article click here.

Image credit: Skirt.com

About the Author:

Jack Landry has been working in the technology/communications industry for 13 years and has written hundreds of articles on SMS marketing. He recommends (http://www.itextglobal.com) for your SMS marketing and communications needs.

Contact Info: Jack Landry jackrlandry@gmail.com http://www.itextglobal.com

Check out this short article we found over at PCWorld.  This cool new computer system is being built into some Mercedes-Benz models to make driving safer, smarter, and more eco-friendly.

“The innovative SplitView system in Mercedes-Benz S-Class and CL-Class automobiles provides personalized visual content to the car’s driver and front-seat passenger. While the driver adjusts the radio, navigation system, or other controls on the left side of the SplitView screen, passengers can watch a DVD video on the right side of the screen; a special filter permits each screen to be viewed only from certain angles so the driver is not distracted by the passengers’ movie or show. SplitView’s 8-inch active-matrix color display is integrated into the vehicle’s navigation, audio, and entertainment system.”

We’re excited that the Mercedes-Benz SLK Class and the CLK Class made the list for J.D. Powers and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study in the Compact Premium Sporty Car category.  Mercedes-Benz has started the year out right, with a number of awards, including Mercedes-Benz USA being named the best place to work in New Jersey.  It’s nice to see that Mercedes-Benz is continuing to be recognized as the incredible brand we believe it is.  To see who else made the 2010 Vehicle Dependability list, click here.

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, NJ, announced a new plan for a concept car that features airbags that extend both inside and outside the car.  According to an article by NY 1, “The doors contain air-filled ‘pillars’ that can quickly inflate like airbags right before a crash, to create more cushion even before the force of the impact is able to reach inside the cabin.’”  In case of events like rollovers, the car features an “air wall” that pops up between the driver and passenger for extra protection.  Click here to read more about these new airbags, or head over to NY 1 for their Mercedes-Benz video report.

Detroit News spotted the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL a full two years before it’s set to his the 2012 Paris Motor Show, and we’re lucky they did! This exclusive sneak peak at the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL has us really excited for it’s lease.  The 2012 SL maintains the car’s legendary classic layout, along with the retractable metal roof and long front and rear overhangs that have long been key features of this model. New to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL is the upright grille, which came about due to pedestrian safety regulations in the European Union.  Also different to this model is it’s location.  Formerly production on Mercedes-Benz SL models took place in Bremen, Germany, but the 2012 SL will be produced in Stuttgart.

What do you guys think of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL?

Imagine this: You’re driving down the road in your brand new Mercedes-Benz, when all of the sudden a dog runs out in front of your car. You immediately panic: there’s not enough time to slow down and you’re guaranteed to hit man’s best friend, right? Think again.

This just in from Autospies:

“Mercedes-Benz is working on a new safety system than can automatically steer around pedestrians to avoid accidents.

Ulrich Mellinghoff, head of safety development at Mercedes, says it’s likely to appear within the next five years.

Talking to What Car? at the Detroit Motor Show, Mellinghoff told us that in 80% of accidents with people, just 20% of a car’s frontal area hits the pedestrian.

This means it would take only 40-50cm of movement for a Mercedes to automatically swerve around a pedestrian that had been detected by the car.”

We know this new swerve technology applies to accidents involving pedestrians, but who says man’s best friend can’t be included in that list? Either way, it’s exciting for us to see the considerations Mercedes-benz is taking when thinking about safety, not just for cars and their drivers, but others on the road, as well. This is just further proof that Mercedes-Benz is always ahead of the curve.

What do you guys think of this new swerve technology?

Buying green is a good step to reducing the environmental impacts of automobile use.  But it doesn’t end there.  How you drive your vehicle, whether it’s a brand new luxury sedan, or a certified pre-owned car,  how you maintain your vehicle  makes a big difference.  Here are a few government tips for maintenance (provided by Eco Driving) to help you drive greener.

Keep your tires properly inflated.  Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended for your vehicle; this information is often printed inside the door frame or in your owner’s manual.  For every three pounds below recommended pressure, fuel economy goes down by about one percent.  Tires can lose about one pound of pressure in a month, so check the air pressure regularly and always before going on a long trip carrying heavy loads.  Underinflated tires can also detract from handling, safety, and how long the tires will last.

Buy low-rolling resistance (LRR) replacement tires.  Switching to a typical set of replacement tires lowers a vehicle’s fuel economy as much as four percent.  LRR tires, on the other hand, are specially designed to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy.  Most major tire manufacturers now produce LR models, so when it comes time to replace your tires, seek out a set of LRRs.

Check your own fuel economy every few weeks.  If you notice it slipping, it could mean you have a minor problem with the engine or your brakes. Have your vehicle taken in for service .   Using this advanced warning, you can fix problems before you have a breakdown on the road.

Get a tune-up.  Whether you do it yourself schedule your car to be serviced, a tune-up can increase your fuel economy.  Follow owner’s manual guidelines.  Be sure to check for warn spark plugs, dragging brakes, and low transmission fluid; have your wheels aligned and tires rotated and replace the air filter if needed.  Make sure all used vehicle fluids are recycled or disposed of safely.

Change the oil. In addition to making your car or truck last longer, replacing the oil and oil filter regularly will also help fuel economy.  Check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations about how often to change.  Ask the service station if they recycle used oil; or if you do it yourself, take your old oil to someplace that does recycle.  Ask for recycled oil as a replacement.

Have your vehicle’s emission control system checked periodically.  Take it in for service if an instrument panel warning light comes on.

Continue to check the Ray Catena Mercedes-Benz blog  frequently for more tips about driving green as well as everything Mercedes-Benz.

Along with the advancements made in the automobile, safety requirements have also intensified. Dummies have been used in crash tests since the 1950’s. They give important information as to how certain accident scenarios affect the occupants of the vehicle. Mercedes-Benz.tv reveals the impacts to which dummies are exposed, the advanced development in dummy technology and the areas of the body which are in the focus of engineers. And like Mercedes-Benz engineers, Ray Catena of Edison wants the safest Mercedes’ for its clients.