The Integral Safety Concept from Mercedes-Benz divides vehicle safety into four phases:
Virtually no other area inspires the Mercedes-Benz engineers to produce such consistently impressive results as much as research into new safety technologies. The first important safety milestone was reached back in the 1950s with the development of the passenger safety cell, invented by Béla Barényi. Today it is just one of many components of the Integral Safety Concept which edges Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever closer to our vision of accident-free driving.
Phase 1: safe driving
The majority of accidents start long before the actual collision: with a lapse in concentration, poor visibility or hazards which cannot be anticipated. That's why the Mercedes-Benz safety concept employs a range of measures to support safe driving in everyday operation and which help you bring critical situations under control.
Mercedes-Benz stands for automotive safety. That's why our vehicles can support their passengers even in critical driving situations, so that every journey is as safe as it can possibly be.
Mercedes-Benz cars are equipped with many safety systems to help prevent accidents. Should the worst come to the worst, however, a host of occupant safety measures are activated. They include protection for the vehicle occupants as well as for other road users.
To reduce consequential damage after an accident and support the work of the rescue services, a number of different actions are initiated, depending on the type and severity of the accident:
Optimum protection: Engine can be switched off automatically and the fuel supply cut off.
Conspicuous lighting: Hazard warning lamps and emergency interior lighting can be activated automatically to prevent follow-on accidents and make it easier to find the accident vehicle.
Excellent escape potential: Doors can be unlocked automatically.
Improved rescue measures: Integrated crash joints between the wing and door can speed up rescue work by enabling the doors to be opened more easily after a frontal collision.
Mercedes-Benz has also published multilingual rescue guidelines (accessible worldwide on the internet) as a source of information for rescue services.
Some of the information provided and images displayed on this Site are European. Vehicle features and performance may differ under Australian conditions. Contact an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer for information on Vehicles available in Australia.