Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that some 360 people have died due to unintended rollaways, between 2012 to 2014. The occurrence of unintended vehicle rollaways take place when a driver unintentionally leaves the vehicle with the engine still running and the transmission not placed in Park.
Ford Motor Company wants to reduce or totally eliminate these mishaps by introducing smart technologies such as its “Return to Park” feature. To be fielded first on the 2017 Ford Fusion, the system uses a battery of sensors to detect if the driver leaves the vehicle or shuts it down altogether, yet forgets to shift to Park. Such conditions include: shutting off the engine, and opening the driver’s door with the driver’s seatbelt unfastened. Such indicators are presumed to be factors for the system to shift itself into Park automatically.
Don’t worry, however, that it will accidentally shift while on the move. The smart tech can determine if, say, the driver simply wants to check the markings while parking if he or she opens the door, still has their seatbelt on, and slowly moves the vehicle. Also, the system will not work above speeds of 5mph (8kph), as well as when the transmission is in “Neutral Tow” and “Stay in Neutral” modes.
The 2017 Ford Fusion, with its rotary shift knob, will be the first Ford to utilize the smart and safe feature.
