Mazda Rear Vehicle Monitoring System to receive "Euro NCAP Advanced" Award

The Mazda Rear Vehicle Monitoring system (RVM) available on the Mazda3 will receive a coveted "Euro NCAP* Advanced" award at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) next month.



Euro NCAP reviewed the Mazda RVM and were impressed by its many safety benefits. It helps a driver avoid dangerous situations or even collisions with other vehicles during a lane change. Two radar sensors, one mounted in each side of the rear bumper, constantly measure the distance to, and the relative speed of, surrounding vehicles.







At speeds above 60 km/h, Mazda's RVM warns the driver with a proximity indicator light in the door mirror on the side where, either a vehicle is in the blind spot area, or a vehicle will approach this area in the next 5 seconds from within a zone of up to 50 m. If the driver switches on the turn signal in the direction of the approaching vehicle, the proximity light blinks rapidly and a beeper sounds to warn the driver not to change lanes. The system is designed to work in virtually every kind of weather and detect all types of vehicles, including motorcycles.



Mazda identified that nearly 5 percent of all accidents are between vehicles driving in the same direction, nearly 80 percent of which are due to a lane change. Taking into account the system's specifications, the Mazda RVM has the potential to help avoid more than half of these accidents.





Mazda was the first Japanese carmaker to introduce a rear vehicle monitoring system to Europe with the Mazda6 RVM in 2008. It was then made available on the Mazda3 and the CX-7 in 2009, and will be included in the new Mazda CX-5 premiering at the IAA in September together with the facelifted Mazda3.



"Euro NCAP Advanced" is rewarding high-tech safety systems

Starting in 2010, "Euro NCAP Advanced" began rewarding and recognizing car manufacturers who make available new safety technologies which demonstrate scientifically-proven safety benefits for consumers and society.





Euro NCAP is an independent crash-test organization made up of consumers' associations, motoring clubs and transport authorities in several European countries. It has awarded automotive safety ratings since 1997.



Safety has always been a high priority for Mazda. The Mazda3 was awarded the five-star maximum rating on its last Euro NCAP combined safety performance tests in 2009 (for Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist). The Mazda6 received the same rating that year, while Mazda2 (2007) and Mazda5 (2005) received 5 stars for their adult protection (previous rating system).













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