The 1950s saw the introduction of new systems to help the driver steer and brake - power steering and air brakes. This was vital as traffic started to increase and gross weights began to rise. The 1960s brought the establishment of Swedish cab safety standards, which are still the toughest in the world. Spring brakes were introduced to ensure that the parking brake was operational even following a loss of brake pressure. Automatic slack adjuster came and brake matching between the truck and on the trailer began in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, antilock brakes were introduced and greatly increased safety on the roads.

In 1984, Scania launched the first automated gear-changing system on the market. Working with a standard gearbox with pneumatic cylinders to do the shift work, all the driver had to do was to use the clutch. Gearchanging was controlled by a computer, but the driver could adjust the recommendations at any time.

The structural strength of buses became an issue in the early 1980s. Concerns focused mainly on long-distance coaches, which travel at higher speeds, but Scania also tested city buses. In the tests, cars were crashed into the sides of city buses. City buses were even rolled over to ensure passenger safety. This work is ongoing and the latest all-aluminium city bus the OmniCity was recently rollover tested with satisfactory results.

Scania was the first truck manufacturer to introduce integrated seat belts as a standard feature in 1988. Belts that are integrated into the seat structure are more comfortable to wear, and follow the body precisely during the spring movements of the seat. Scania wanted to encourage the wearing of seat belts in trucks.

In the 1990s, it became possible to integrate electronic systems and make them work together in highly intelligent fashion. Scania's integrated retarder was launched in 1993. With its intuitive control via the brake pedal, it takes over up to 75% of all the regular brake work and keeps the wheel brakes fresh and cool for emergency applications.

Scania made front underrun protection standard on its long-haulage trucks in 1995. Integrated in the front bumper structure, this device prevents passenger cars from being wedged under the truck in a frontal collision. A test with a Saab car crashing into a Scania truck at 57 km/h proved the value of the system. The car hit the Scania's underrun protection, enabling the full crash-worthiness of the car's safety cage to be used. Passengers would have stepped out - shaken, but alive.

Scania's fully automated gearchanging system Opticruise was introduced in 1995. The system works on a normal manual gearbox, changes gears automatically and makes driving safe and relaxed, especially in dense traffic. Opticruise optimises performance as well as fuel economy. By saving fuel, it also optimises emissions.

Scania was the first manufacturer to launch electronically controlled disc brakes on trucks in 1996. Electronic control instead of pneumatics reduces response times by 50 percent, cutting the stopping distance from 80 km/h by around six metres with a fully laden combination.

Another step was taken in truck driver safety in 1996. Belt tensioners and a driver's airbag add to the protection of the seat belt, but seat belts are still the basic life insurance. Without belts, the airbag could even be dangerous.

Smooth corners feature on our present generation of trucks and buses, providing a less dangerous exterior for pedestrians, and cutting air resistance and reducing water spray for other road users.

Since 2001, interactive driver training is given on delivery of new Scania trucks. The training focuses on safe driving and helps the driver become acquainted with his new truck.

In 2001, Scania introduced red seat belts as an option. By wearing these conspicuous belts, drivers indicate that they care about road safety and encourage others to wear the seat belt.

Scania launched two safety initiatives in 2001. The first initiative concerns young truck drivers, who are invited to a competition in safe and efficient driving. The second initiative aims at establishing a pan-European road database that includes the special requirements of commercial vehicles.

Intangible factors
One of Scania's R&D goals - building driver appeal into the vehicles - contributes strongly to active safety. A heavy commercial vehicle should be nice to drive because it is a day-to-day workplace. Most important is the way a vehicle drives, steers and stops. Good performance makes driving relaxed. Modern automated gearchanging systems enable the driver to concentrate on traffic, and good handling puts the driver in command. Self-evident are logical and easy to reach controls, in-cab noise quality and climate.

Keeping up the competence
A driver who drives smoothly also drives economically, and safely. Better fuel economy also reduces the environmental impact and increases safety. In this spirit, Scania has been running driver-training programmes in many countries for years, usually as part of the hand-over of a new vehicle. Two examples are the professional driver scheme in Belgium and the safety driving courses organised by our German organisation. In the latter case, drivers get training and tuition in economical driving, as well braking experience on slippery surfaces with empty and fully loaded combinations.

The future: efficiency and safety go hand-in-hand
More efficient road transport means fewer trucks on the road, and this in itself benefits safety. Here electronics will lead to a revolution in the years to come, fully integrating trucks and buses into operators' communication and logistics system.

We already have excellent antilock brakes. Soon, we will have electronic stability control, like that on luxury cars. With adaptive cruise control, we will be able to "see" other traffic. Braking by wire is already a reality with Scania's electronic brake system, allowing much quicker response than is possible with air. Why not steer by wire as well? Surely, electronics can help the driver keep the vehicle in lane and, ultimately, help by steering or braking out of trouble.

There will be much more to come, which we cannot even imagine today.