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MANUFACTURING CARS AND
IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY
PSA Peugeot Citroën’s overriding priority
is the safety of drivers and other road users,
with 10% of the research and development
budget allocated to programs in this area
in 2002. While continuing to assertively
develop technological solutions that avoid
accidents (active safety) and reduce their
impact when they do occur (passive safety),
the Group is now also addressing the major
challenge of improving driver behavior. This
is why programs are underway to deepen
understanding of the human factors at
play in accidents and awareness-building
initiatives are being deployed to promote
more safety-conscious behavior.
DESIGNING SAFE VEHICLES IS THE VERY
HEART OF A CARMAKER’S BUSINESS
The Group does everything it can to
optimize the active and passive safety
features that drivers expect from Peugeot
and Citroën vehicles. Nevertheless, driver
training, information and accountability
are equally as important, as is the quality
of the road infrastructure.
• Accident avoidance, a critical challenge
Despite the significant advances in passive
safety systems, accidentology studies
show that 50% of passenger fatalities
could not have been avoided. Human
bodies and automotive materials just
cannot withstand the force of certain
impacts. In addition, automotive safety
innovations spread only gradually. In
France, for example, it takes 13 years to
replace 90% of all cars on the road.
• Making the system driver-centric
No car can be safe without increasing
driver empowerment. This means the
challenge is to improve active safety,
which enables drivers to control their
vehicles and make the right decision at
the right time.
Developing systems that facilitate driving
under all circumstances has therefore long
been a priority for PSA Peugeot Citroën.
In an area generally deemed to be
“unquantifiable”, the Group has
substantively improved test procedures
that can be used to objectively identify
risk factors and then deliver effective
technological solutions.
PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN - MANAGING BOARD REPORT 81