Let’s face it, being on the road can be very unpredictable, even for the most experienced drivers. Unfortunately, the focus of road safety advice is often placed on the drivers’ abilities, with less emphasis on the actual safety standards of the vehicles they drive. Against this backdrop, Lexus emerges as a pioneering developer of state-of-the-art car safety features aimed at safeguarding the lives of drivers and their passengers.
Lexus Safety System+ is an integrated suite of state-of-the-art safety technologies designed to complement your driving skills so you can cruise confidently without worrying about your safety on the road. The system has been born out of decades of innovation and extensive research on the causes of road accidents. Let’s look at some of the innovative features that come with this revolutionary care safety suite.
Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection
Arguably the most outstanding component of the Lexus Safety System+ is the Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, which is designed to help you detect any incoming vehicles or pedestrians on the path of your Lexus. If the system detects the possibility of a frontal collision, it immediately alerts you through visual and audio cues, empowering you to take evasive action.
In cases where there is a high chance of collision or a collision appears unavoidable, the PCS may prepare the Brake Assist feature for maximum brake force or automatically engage the brakes to bring the vehicle to a halt.
Various Lexus vehicles also come equipped with enhanced radar and camera capabilities. These allow you to detect oncoming pedestrians and vehicles in poorly lit environments and give you a better awareness of the road and other road users. This makes it an invaluable tool, particularly when you’re navigating unfamiliar roads or driving at night.
Lexus vehicles that feature PCS technology include IS, ES, LS, NX, RX, GX, LX, RC, RC F, LC, and UX.
Lane Assistance
Lexus Safety System+ features an assortment of lane assist systems designed to help you maintain the right positioning in your driving lane. These include:
Lane Departure Alert
Lane Departure Alert, which is found in the GX model, features an in-vehicle camera designed to detect the white and yellow lane markings ahead of your vehicle as well as your vehicle’s general position on the road. If your vehicle inadvertently deviates from its lane, the system provides you with an audio alert so you can steer your vehicle back to the center of your lane.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the Lane Departure Alert technology is limited in accuracy and may not always provide alerts on unintentional lane departure. For instance, if the road you’re driving on is covered with snow, it may not be possible for the system to recognize lane markers and detect a lane departure. So, don’t become over-reliant on this system at the expense of manual steering control.
Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist
Certain Lexus models with electronic power steering come with an added steering assist function in addition to the Lane Departure Alert. The system sends audio alerts if it detects that your vehicle inadvertently veers out of its lane, and it may provide small corrective steering to return your vehicle to its right position on the road. This system is available in the following Lexus models: NX, RX, IS, ES, RC, RC F, LS, LX, and UX.
Lane Keep Assist
LC models come with Lane Keep Assist. This system helps you maintain your lane when steering and automatically deactivates when you let go of the steering wheel.
Intelligent High Beams
All Lexus safety setups feature Intelligent High Beams, which are designed to provide you with greater visibility of the road and other road users. When the road is clear of vehicles and other obstacles, the system defaults to high-beam mode, then temporarily reverts to low-beam mode once it detects the taillights or headlights of other vehicles ahead of you. This system allows you to see what’s ahead of you on the road without illuminating other motorists with your headlights.
As with other safety features, the recognition accuracy of the Intelligent High Beams is limited, and it may not cycle between low and high beams in every situation. For instance, if you’re driving in inclement weather, such as snow, sleet, or fog, the camera’s sensor may not detect the lights from oncoming vehicles, preventing the system from engaging properly.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Lexus Safety System+ comes equipped with two Dynamic Radar Cruise Control options. These are:
High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
High-Speed Dynamic Cruise Control employs camera and radar technology to allow you to trail the vehicle ahead of you at a constant pre-set speed and following distance. If you get closer to the vehicle than the following distance you’ve set, the system automatically decelerates your vehicle without disengaging cruise control. Where the distance between your vehicle and the preceding one is too close, and there is a risk of collision, the system may automatically apply the brakes to bring your car to a complete stop.
All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
This advanced cruise control feature has added functionality, making it ideal whether you’re driving at highway speeds or in stop-and-go traffic. However, like the high-speed dynamic radar cruise control, this system detects if you get too close to the preceding vehicle and shorten the preset distance. The system will automatically decelerate your vehicle, bringing it to a complete stop if necessary. In some Lexus models, this system goes a step further by detecting curves ahead and reducing your vehicle’s speed.
Road Sign Assist
This safety feature uses a built-in camera to detect speed limit signs ahead of you, which it then displays on your vehicle’s Multi-Information Display or Head-Up Display. In addition, the system also displays other road signs that you may have missed or overlooked.
With its innovative safety system, Lexus has proven that road safety is at the core of its ethos. Thanks to these brilliant and well-executed safety features, you can be more confident on the road and cruise with ease, no matter what kind of road you’re driving on. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the Lexus safety system. One of our expert staff members will be happy to help.
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