At the event, more than 150 guests and media representatives heard presentations by experts on the technologies.
In partnership with the FIA Foundation, eSafetyAware, Transport Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA)and CAA-Québec have held an e-Safety demonstration featuring seven time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher and Canadian racing driver Jacques Villeneuve.
Schumacher and Villeneuve called on Canadians to think about e-Safety technologies when they consider their next vehicle purchase. Systems such as Electronic Stability Control already exist in some vehicles and can prevent accidents before they happen, but according to both drivers, these technologies should be more widely available and sought out by consumers.
“We know these technologies reduce the impact of injuries and save lives,” Schumacher said at the ‘eSafety on Board’ event. “Canadians should be aware of them, and make them a consideration when buying a new vehicle.”
Four systems – Electronic Stability Control, Warning and Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane Support – were demonstrated with the help of CAA-Québec expert drivers, at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Test Centre in Blainville, Québec on June 10. A fifth technology, Speed Alert, is widely available in Europe and will hopefully become an option on North American vehicles soon.
“As a race car driver, I know that any technological edge I can get is important,” said Villeneuve. “The same is true when it comes to vehicle safety.”
Rob Merrifield, Minister of State for Transport, emphasised the Government of Canada’s commitment to vehicle safety technologies.
“Road safety is a key priority for our Government and we applaud this opportunity to further educate Canadians about these new vehicle safety technologies,” said Minister Merrifield. “Our Government supports these life-saving technologies and recognizes that vehicle safety technologies save lives.”
David Ward FIA Foundation Director General said: “We’re aiming to raise awareness of these crucial life saving technologies in Canada, and indeed globally. We’ve know that safe cars protect passengers in an accident, but these new vehicle safety technologies we can prevent an accident happening in the first place. We need to make sure that people know about these technologies when they select their next car. All drivers should be protected by e-Safety systems and they need to become as widely available as possible.”
At the event, more than 150 guests and media representatives heard presentations by experts on the technologies, watched a live demonstration and were given the opportunity to try out the e-safety systems themselves.
For further information visit: http://www.esafetychallenge.eu/en/esafety_challenge/esafety_challenge_01.htm