Any technology that helps prevent collisions and save lives on the road is often well received by the public.

Euro NCAP has been awarding car manufacturers for developing and installing technology on cars that could save lives through its ‘Advanced Rewards’.

Today, the crash test experts awarded Mitsubishi for its ‘Forward Collision Mitigation’ system installed in the five-star rated Outlander.

Euro NCAP said the technology ‘is an example that some car manufacturers are making efforts to help us further reduce accidents and casualties on the roads by providing consumers with Autonomous Emergency Braking systems.’

Mitsubishi believes that if every car in Europe is fitted with such technology, one per cent of all road deaths could be prevented each year – around 280 people, with approximately 20 of those in the UK.

But what exactly is Mitsubishi’s Forward Mitigation Collision system (FCM)?

With collision avoidance technology on the increase, the aim is to reduce the likelihood of colliding with a vehicle in front, as several studies have shown that driver distraction of inattentiveness is a factor in rear end accidents.

The FCM system - using the same 77 GHz radar used by the Adaptive Cruise Control system - detects obstacles on the road in front of the Outlander and will automatically apply the brakes when necessary to help prevent a collision or to help reduce the severity of a collision.

A spokesman for Mitsubishi Motors said: “When the possibility of a front collision arises, the driver is warned through a buzzer and a light in the instrument panel. If the driver then hits the brakes, the Brake Assist function will activate earlier than normal.

“When the risk of a collision becomes highly possible, a two-stage Automatic Braking function is engaged.”

The first of those stages sees low braking pressure automatically applied to the Mitsubishi Outlander, prompting the driver to avoid the collision.

The second stage sees high braking pressure automatically applied to help mitigate or avoid the collision. 

“It can help avoiding a collision when the car is driving at less than 30km/h and the system detects a stationary object,” explained the Mitsubishi spokesman. “With respect to other moving vehicles, Forward Collision Mitigation can also help to avoid a collision when the speed difference between the vehicle being detected and the Outlander is less than 30 km/h. Where the speed difference is greater than 30 km/h, FCM cannot help prevent a collision, but can help to reduce the severity of that collision.”

It is one of many innovations that, together with Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning systems, are making cars safer than ever before. And in addition to saving lives, if a reduction in the number of collisions sees fewer whiplash claims being made, the cost of car insurance could drop to less than what it is now.