Opel awarded Advanced safety gong
The independent consumer organization, European New Car Assessment Program (Euro-NCAP), has given its Advanced award to Opel for the automaker’s safety lighting system AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting).
AFL – the combination of dynamic curve light and static cornering light – considerably reduces the risk of accidents at dusk and at night. Opel was the first car company to bring AFL to the market back in 2002.
It is available on the Corsa, Meriva and Zafira, while AFL+ - with eight additional automatic lighting functions – is available on the Astra, Insignia and Zafira Tourer.
AFL+ ensures optimum visibility. The system features bi-xenon, gas discharge headlamps with variable light beam distribution in width, direction and range for driving in the city, pedestrian areas, on country roads and highways.
This is complemented by adverse weather light, dynamic curve light, cornering light, high beam assist and daytime running lights with LEDs. Sensors and software constantly monitor the surroundings, traffic and weather conditions so that the system can activate the appropriate lighting function.
Driving at night or in bad visibility is more dangerous. Although there is around 33% less traffic on the roads at night, the number of deadly road accidents at dusk or in darkness is twice as high as during the day.
A study commissioned by the German Federal Highway Research Institute shows that drivers over 40 suffer reduced vision when driving in twilight and an increased sensitivity to glare.
The prize for AFL is Opel’s second Euro NCAP Advanced award. Opel received its first for the Opel Eye system at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
Euro NCAP Advanced is a new award system honouring advanced safety technologies in the automotive industry. It complements Euro NCAP’s existing star rating scheme on adult occupant, pedestrian protection, child safety and safety assist systems.
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