Distracted driving has become a pandemic on our roadways. In fact it has pushed our government to put into action new laws prohibiting texting and cell phone usage under certain circumstances. In response to the new laws auto manufacturers are coming up with new technology to offer with their vehicles. Toyota is working hard at putting together technology that will defeat this public safety issue.

At, Toyota they created a Driving Simulator, simply to measure the amount of distraction caused to a driver under certain circumstances. The simulator is designed to mimic actual driving as closely as possible. It is a sophisticated system that allows the team to perform tests that are as accurate and as realistic as actual driving.

Toyota has also begun testing upcoming technology in the Driving Simulator. The Pre-Collision System, or PCS, was developed as a tool that will detect a possible imminent frontal collision and then alert the driver, in order to add to the driver’s reaction time. The PCS determines that a frontal collision will potentially take place and then a series of warnings are sent to the driver. Next the pre-collision brakes and pre-collision seat belts are automatically deployed in an attempt to avoid the collision or greatly reduce the damage done by the collision. In early prototype testing the PCS system seemed to be performing its job well, and giving the driver added warning before a potential collision.

The systems developed by Toyota are of utmost importance to the auto maker. The tumultuous start to the year gave Toyota a chance to refocus on their safety standards and begin developing such systems. Although the PCS is not yet available, it speaks poignantly about the direction the company is heading.