Ford drivers are only just realising little-known button can help them avoid fines & deadly accidents
FORD owners are just realising that a little-known button can help them avoid hefty fines and even deadly accidents.
The futuristic feature can help drivers avoid breaking road laws and stay safe.
The tech could mean that you don’t have to pay out thousands in penalty charges.
Most new Ford cars include the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), which keeps track of your position in the lane.
It uses a front-facing camera and an array of sensors to create an accurate picture of where your car is on the road.
If you start to drift out of your lane it will trigger three sharp vibrations of the steering wheel and can even help steer you back into the centre.
Ashley Johnson, Sales Manager at Parkland Motors, said the system could be a “saving grace” for those suffering from fatigue at the wheel or struggling with weather conditions.
He told The Express: “By warning you you’re about to drift out of lane, this feature can help prevent accidents caused by drifting into adjacent lanes or off the road.
“When road markings may be less visible during low light or poor weather conditions, this feature will definitely come in handy this winter.”
All you have to do is use a dial on the steering column to activate the system.
It can be identified by its symbol, which shows a rectangle in between two dotted lines.
The system has three modes, with drivers able to choose to activate the vibration warnings and steering assist individually or combine the two.
Your selected mode will appear on the infotainment system when you use the dial.
The nifty feature could well save you from swerving across lanes, for example if you started to fall asleep at the wheel.
Without it, even if you didn’t get in a smash, you could be collared for driving without due care and attention.
If your case ended up in court, you would face a maximum fine of £5,000 and up to nine points on your licence, two-thirds of the number needed to trigger a driving ban.
Toyota has also released a similar system in many of its models, though the company confirmed it will not be active under 32mph.
It comes after it emerged that drivers face being slapped with £100 fines over new parking rules coming into force next month.
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