The Infiniti Safety Shield

Safety is a key factor in every driver's vehicle selection. The Infiniti Safety Shield breaks down the driving experience into six stages.

The first stage is NORMAL DRIVING. This represents the vast majority of time that a driver spends behind the wheel. The safest drivers are those who are completely at ease in their vehicle, able to see their surroundings, and effortlessly operate every needed control. Good ergonomics will create a condition where the driver's relationship to the vehicle will contribute to safe, comfortable driving. Critical ergonomic elements include seating, wheel and pedal positioning, outward visibility, and controls.

The second stage is RISK APPEARS. Many of the same systems that make normal driving safe and pleasant can play a role if the driver encounters risk. Some additional systems such as Vehicle Dynamic Control, Anti Lock Brakes, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Tire Pressure Monitoring, and Preview Braking will provide assistance if an emergency maneuver is necessary to successfully avoid a crash.

The third stage is CRASH MAY OCCUR. In this stage the vehicle will actually intervene utilizing sophisticated computer controls to attempt to prevent an accident by operating vehicle systems at speeds that exceed the driver's abilities. This would again include the ABS system, along with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, and VDC.

The fourth stage is CRASH IS UNAVOIDABLE. If a vehicle reaches the fourth stage, it will rapidly be followed by the fifth, which is CRASH. In many cases the driver cannot distinguish between these two stages, but by seperating them it is possible to distinguish between systems that "prepare for " an impact and systems that "protect in" an impact.  Seat belts with Emergency Locking Retractors (ELR) or Infiniti's Pre-Crash seatbelts are examples of systems designed to respond during stage four. Stage five systems include airbags and Supplemental Restraint Systems, Zone Body Construction, Breakaway Mounts, Energy Absorbing Steering Column and Pedal Assembly, and Active Head Restraints.

The sixth stage is POST CRASH Protection for the battery and other electrical systems will attempt to protect the integrity of electronic communications systems, and  Event Data Recorders will allow technicians to analyze information that will improve future safety.