The third generation Toyota Prius now offers a new Safety Pack option.

Features include Toyota’s advanced Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which use radar-based controls to help the driver avoid accidents happening. And also includes dusk-sensing headlights, LED low beam headlights with washers, electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror and water-repellent front side window glass.

The PCS system uses a millimetre-wave system and lane detection cameras to monitor the road ahead and detect the risk of a collision. If it judges a high possibility of an impact, it first alerts the driver with a buzzer and warning light on the dashboard. If the driver does not respond, it then activates the front seatbelt pretensioners and initiates emergency braking to minimise the consequences.

ACC uses the same radar system to automatically adjust vehicle speed to keep a set, safe distance from the vehicle ahead. When a slower vehicle is detected in the road ahead, ACC slows the Prius by reducing engine power and, if required braking. If it cannot slow the vehicle sufficiently, an alarm is sounded to alert the driver.

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