Ever since Volvo first started way back in 1958, the word "Safety" and the name "Volvo" have been regarded as synonymous in the automotive world beginning with what is called today, the seat belt, but was known then as the three-point belt.
Within ten years, Volvo had developed the first child car seat that was rear facing, in the world.
By 1998, Volvo was the one who first installed head airbag and the whiplash protection system that was designed to help keep passengers from the after accident effect of whiplash.
All these things plus many more have kept Volvo's vehicles regularly appearing on many "Safe Car" list.
Obviously Volvo is very serious about safety.
Coming out with another new safety feature at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show should not be a surprise for Volvo.
This new safety feature is all about headlights and is called "Active High Beam" technology.
This new technology will allow Volvo drivers to drive with their bright lights or high beams on at night all the time.
It is obvious what some people are going to think because to drive with your bright lights on all the time can be a safety hazard to other drivers as they are only meant to be used when no other cars are around.
One reason the bright lights are not used much is because it is common for a driver to toggle them manually to either on or off when traffic is seen.
This said, how is it that Volvo's new Active High Beam technology can let the bright lights stay on? These new lights work in conjunction with tiny cameras, which are placed in the rear view mirror but facing forward.
These tiny cameras detect oncoming traffic and then automatically adjust the headlights to block out a portion of the light, which is the most distracting to other drivers making this new technology a win-win for everyone.
Not only will the oncoming traffic not be bothered by the bright lights, the Volvo driver will be able to stay safer because they will be able to see better.
In addition, you will no longer have to worry about a toggle device plus, Volvo reports that the cameras are accurate as much as 1.
5 degrees.
Another good thing is that the technology works at speeds of only 1 mph! If you have also seen similar technology from Audi called the "matrix beam lighting," Volvo's spin on this is their "Active High Beam" technology.
Even though this technology did turn some heads at the Geneva Motor Show, it is still, unfortunately only available in Europe.
This is because the US must abide with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, which says headlights cannot emit light in a dynamic way.
Unfortunately, the Active High Beam fits that description.
So, until the US changes the law or a new law replaces it, the Active High Beam technology will be available in the spring of 2013, but only on select Volvo models such as the V60, S60 and XC60.
First Volvo came out with seat belts, then they came out with rear facing baby seats, then it was head airbags, then whiplash protection.
Today Volvo has safety headlights, and tomorrow, who knows what Volvo will come up with.