All manufacturers are developing safer cars. That's a clear trend. Technology that is hardly visible must stay affordable in order to compete with other car manufacturers whilst adding true safety features. Nissan is uses readily available sensors within their new safety programme. It are these sensors that monitor traffic. Japan is ahead on using traffic technology for managing traffic, and feeding navigation systems with additional information for a faster route. In the future, these sensors will be used by Nissan to warn drivers of all sorts of possible threats. The interface uses artificial voice to warn drivers, such as
"A car is coming from the left ahead" enhanced with images on the navigation screen.
Nissan is currently investigating whether audible warnings will contribute to a safer drive. Of course if the investigation is positive, Nissan wants these features to be available by 2010 for the consumer. These initiatives are also very interesting for Europe and the states, but the roads lack a network of sensors, as that of Japan. But that is just a matter of time. The main question is will these technologies make traffic more saver? because the human remains an important factor!

More info:
Top Speed: Gas Pedal Safety Feature,
Autoservice (Springer)