4 Ways Lexus Proactive Driving Assist Helps Avoid Accidents

Safety First

The safety tech present in Lexus vehicles has always impressed, and it continues to evolve and improve with time as well. One of the last features is something Toyota calls Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), and it's all about avoiding crashes from happening by taking preemptive measures in a number of ways using the vehicle's front-facing camera and radar system.

Braking/Steering Support in Response to Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Parked Cars

PDA has four main scenarios that it's programmed to handle, starting with providing braking and steering support when it detects the presence of pedestrians, cyclists, and parked vehicles. If it does in fact detect the presence of one of these things, PDA can slow the vehicle down, even if the driver presses the accelerator. The system can also provide gentle steering input designed to move the vehicle away from those objects - so long as there's sufficient space in a lane - but typically operates only in the 25-35 mph range.

Braking Support in Response to Preceding Vehicles

PDA can also detect when there's a vehicle in front of it, or when a vehicle is changing lanes and cutting in front of the host vehicle. At that point, PDA can also determine if it needs to slow the vehicle down to maintain a safe distance. However, the system won't apply maximum braking power if one needs to come to a complete stop, meaning that the driver would still need to take action if that's the case. 

Braking Support in Response to Corners

When the vehicle is approaching a corner, PDA can determine if it's traveling too fast depending on the sharpness of that curve as well. If that's the case, the system will automatically slow the vehicle down. Once again, however, this is done rather gently, and if more aggressive deceleration is needed, the driver must press the brakes. 

Steering Assist

Finally, we have PDA's steering assist feature, which automatically increases the force applied to the steering wheel in a couple of scenarios. When traveling in a straight line, the system may do this to prevent the vehicle from moving around in the lane, and when traveling around a curve, it can increase or decrease pressure to make it easier to navigate them as well. 

>>Join the conversation about the PDA right here at ClubLexus.com.

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