Since the invention of the automobile in 1886, we have been setting standards in vehicle safety with our technical innovations. With more and more new and optimized safety systems, we continue to refine the field of safety in road traffic. Our "Intelligent Drive" assistance systems and their increasing networking are groundbreaking – and a milestone towards autonomous and accident-free driving.
People from all over the world put their trust in Mercedes-Benz for the things which are most valuable to them: In our vehicles people get married, children are born, lives are saved and grandchildren chauffeured. In short: Every day, millions of people rely on the fact that they and their loved ones are safe in a Mercedes. And for this, our developers give of their best worldwide.
From the innovation to the standard
Many formerly innovative safety technologies of Mercedes-Benz are taken for granted today across the industry. They make their contribution towards the fact that the number of fatal traffic accidents has been declining for several years. Known examples are technologies such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS), which was introduced in 1978 in the S-Class W 116, the airbag, presented in 1981 in the S-Class, or the Electronic Stability Program ESP®, which was first used in 1995 in an S-Class Coupe. Today, ABS and ESP® are a registration standard for all cars in Europe.


