New Ford Technology Addresses Issue of "Petextrians"

PEKIN, Ill., – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every eight minutes, a pedestrian is injured by a motor vehicle. We've seen all of the warnings about distracted driving, but what about distracted walking? Hopefully, Ford's Newest technology will address the issue of "Petextrians."

A "petextrian," as defined by UrbanDictionary.com, is "One who texts while walking, usually unaware of their surroundings." Many nations across the globe have already implemented their own process when it comes to dealing with distracted walkers. But what if we could take care of the problem, before it happens? That's what Ford hopes to do with Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection.

Using radar and camera technology, the vehicle is able to scan the road for potential collision risks. Right now, the system is able to detect pedestrians in daylight, good weather conditions, and at speeds up to 50 mph. It has the ability to apply the vehicle's full braking force in hopes of avoiding a frontal collision. Like all Ford Collision Assist features, Pedestrian Detection cannot replace the attentiveness of the driver, but simply aims to reduce the amount of avoidable accidents.

The testing and algorithms used to create the Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection were extensive and complex. The idea is to be able to predict the future by detecting where the pedestrian will walk in relation to the vehicle. Fords latest video demonstrates how this new technology addresses the issue of "Petextrians."

We'd like to encourage everyone to refrain from distracted walking, as well as distracted driving! Protect yourself and others from avoidable and dangerous accidents! We care about all of our customers at Velde Ford and we want everyone to stay safe! To see more about what we do at Velde Ford, visit our Who is Velde Ford page! 

Located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554, Velde Ford of Pekin is committed to providing customers outstanding service. We want you to enjoy your car buying experience. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to stop by the dealership or visit our website at www.VeldeFordPekin.com. You can also reach us at (888) 221-2804. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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