New Ford Survey Reveals Risky Behavior Behind the Wheel

Hyannis, 09/06/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

Driving while distracted increases the chance of an accident, and while most motorists consider themselves to be safe behind the wheel, the majority of drivers in a new Ford-sponsored survey admit they have taken their attention away from the road at some point. The automaker is addressing the issue of distracted driving by packing its all-new 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan with driver-assist safety technologies to help motorists stay aware of their surroundings and promote more careful driving.

According to the new survey of American drivers over 18 years old, nearly 50 percent of motorists have fallen asleep behind the wheel or know someone that has, while 83 percent admit that they or someone they know has driven when very tired. Additionally, three-quarters of the drivers surveyed confessed to eating or drinking while driving. Still, nearly nine out of 10 participants said they were interested in a solution that could slow their vehicle if a potential collision were detected ahead, and such technology will be available in the 2013 Fusion arriving this fall.

"Even the most attentive driver can have an off-day, and nobody can predict every hazard or watch all sides of their vehicle," said Mark Caliri, general manager of Hyannis, MA Ford dealership Balise Ford of Cape Cod. "By giving the Fusion new safety technology that simply isn't offered in competing cars, Ford is enabling drivers to be more aware of potential trouble and making the roads safer for everybody."

The new Ford Fusion will offer a variety of high-tech safety features, many of which are not offered elsewhere in the mainstream midsize sedan segment. Among those class-exclusive technologies are available adaptive cruise control, which uses radar to monitor the speed of the vehicle ahead and can slow the Fusion to avoid a collision, as well as the optional Lane Keeping System, which alerts the driver and can even nudge the car back toward the center of the lane if it detects drifting.

Safety is a main focus across Ford's lineup, and the 2013 Ford Explorer and Taurus both recently earned a five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The NCAP tests frontal and side-impact crashes as well as rollover resistance, rating vehicles on a scale of one to five stars.

Helping the latest Explorer and Taurus earn their top crash-test scores were driver and front-passenger airbags that deploy at high or low output depending on the occupant's position, size and safety-belt status. Meanwhile, the vehicles' SOS Post-Crash Alert System activates the horn and emergency flashers after a collision to alert first-responders to the crash location. Like the 2013 Fusion, the 2013 Explorer and Taurus are also available with active safety systems that help prevent accidents altogether, including a Blind Spot Information System and forward-collision warning.

"Ford has all aspects of safety covered, whether it is eliminating crash scenarios in the first place, or ensuring that its vehicles are well-built and well-equipped for those unfortunate times when an accident is unavoidable," added Caliri. "The advanced safety features on the five-star-rated Explorer and Taurus should certainly give Cape Cod Ford drivers a bit more peace of mind."

About Balise Ford of Cape Cod:
Balise Ford of Cape Cod is dedicated to offering a top-notch new and used Ford sales experience to Massachusetts motorists on the Cape and South Shore. Offering the entire lineup of new Ford vehicles, including sedans like the Focus, Fusion and Taurus, as well as the popular F-150 pickup truck, Balise Ford strives to ensure that every customer is matched with their ideal model. Visit their showroom at 90 High School Rd. Extension in Hyannis, Mass., call them at 508-815-4007 or browse their inventory online at www.balisefordcapecod.com. They can also be found on Facebook.