Safety is in our DNA

We invented some of the most important features in the history of car safety.

A woman fastening a three-point safety belt in a Volvo PV544, illustrating the introduction of Nils Bohlin’s design.

1959 - Three-point safety belt

Nils Bohlin's three-point safety belt in the PV544 was first met with criticism for 'infringing on human rights'. Now, it's credited with having saved over one million lives thanks to its innovative design.

A red rear-facing child seat installed in the front passenger seat of a Volvo car, showcasing Volvo’s 1972 innovation.

1972 - Rear-facing child seat

We introduced our first rear-facing child seat, inspired by how astronauts are positioned for take-off. By spreading impact forces, it helps protect children and reduce the risk of injury.

A child seated in the back of a red car interior using a booster cushion and safety belt.

1978 - The booster cushion

The world’s first booster cushion gave older children a safer way to travel forward-facing. By properly positioning them for the safety belt, it improved both protection and comfort.

A raised integrated booster cushion in the centre rear seat of a black leather Volvo car interior.

1990 - Integrated booster cushion

In 1990, we built child safety right into the seat with the world’s first integrated booster cushion. It was designed to work with the car’s restraints, giving kids aged four and up the protection and comfort they deserved.

1991 - Side Impact Protection System

We took side impact protection to the next level with SIPS. This system is a reinforced car body that redirects side-impact forces away from passengers, using a strong structure and energy-absorbing materials for added protection.

A black leather car seat with a white side airbag deployed from the seatback, illustrating the Side Impact Airbag (SIPS-bag).

1994 - Side Impact Airbags (SIPS-bag)

The SIPS bag is one of several 'world-firsts' from Volvo. It absorbs energy and distributes impact forces across the torso and pelvis in a crash. The SIPS-bag activates instantly to protect you when needed, and is otherwise tucked away in the seatback.

A visual render of a crash test dummy seated in a car with a transparent view of the seat’s internal structure.

1998 - Whiplash Injury Protection System (WHIPS)

With a smart seat and head-restraint design, WHIPS was designed to absorb energy evenly in rear-end impacts, reducing the risk of whiplash injuries and providing better support when it matters the most.

A visual render of a crash test dummy seated inside a vehicle with blue inflatable curtain airbags deployed.

1998 - Inflatable Curtain

The first airbag system designed to protect both front, rear and even third-row passengers. Hidden in the headliner, it activates when needed, such as in a side impact or rollover, to help shield heads from serious injury.

2002 - Rollover Occupant Protection System

We enhanced our SUVs’ stability with an electronic roll stability control system. Their body design, structure, and restraints have also been improved to help increase protection in rollover accidents.

Close-up of a car’s side mirror and door pillar with an illuminated orange BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) warning light.

2003 - Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)

We developed BLIS to enhance driver awareness. The first generation used cameras to detect vehicles in blind spots. The system warned you with a subtle light, giving you more time to react and stay safe.

Illustration of a Volvo XC60 using laser detection technology to monitor the distance from a car ahead on a multi-lane road.

2008 - City Safety

With our first Volvo XC60, we made autonomous emergency braking standard. Using laser detection, this system helped reduce rear-end collisions and avoid crashes at low speeds. It marked a major step forward in accident prevention.

An orange Volvo car is stopped in a narrow street while a woman walks in front of it.

2010 - Pedestrian detection with full auto brake

Our safety innovations protect you inside and outside the car. Using radar and cameras, this system helps detect pedestrians stepping into the road, warning the driver and automatically braking if needed.

A partially assembled Volvo car on a simulated wave-like road surface against a grey background.

2014 - Run-off road protection

As pioneers in road departure crash testing, our focus is on keeping occupants secure in real-world crashes. We've done this by tightening the safety belt and introducing energy-absorbing seats to mitigate spinal injuries.

A silver Volvo SUV driving at night on a road with illuminated hazard icons above the car. Tall buildings in the background behind the car.

2016 - Connected Safety

Slippery Road Alert and Hazard Light Alert harness the power of the cloud to enhance safety. By sharing real-time data between vehicles, these systems warn other drivers of icy roads or nearby hazards.

Digital illustration of a Volvo SUV driving on a two-lane road with highlighted braking and lane markings, showing a red warning symbol ahead for a potential collision with oncoming vehicles.

2018 - Oncoming mitigation by braking

If an oncoming vehicle veers into your lane and a collision is unavoidable, this feature can help reduce your vehicle's speed to mitigate the force of the collision.

Digital render close-up image of a Volvo steering wheel showing the built-in buttons.

2020 - Speed Cap

To send a strong signal about the dangers of speeding, we reduced the top speed of all our new cars to 180 km/h, also taking active responsibility towards zero traffic fatalities by supporting better driver behaviour.

Top-down clay visualisation of a white Volvo driving on a road, with a blue overlay highlighting the driver understanding system monitoring the driver's position.

2023 - Driver understanding system

Humans are great drivers. But sometimes, we have off days. In those rare moments, this award-winning system can help detect distraction, drowsiness and impairment. And combined with external sensor data, your car is designed to determine when to intervene.

Top down clay visualisation of a white Volvo parked in a parking space, with a blue digital render of a dog sitting in the rear seat.

2023 - Occupant Sensing

It’s human to forget. That’s why our interior radar-based system, with full-cabin occupant sensing, is designed to help detect even the smallest chest movements. All to help ensure no child or pet is accidentally left behind.

Close-up view of a dashboard in a Volvo car, displaying an in-car navigation system with a highlighted route and the current speed.

2024- Accident ahead alert

Accident ahead alert, available in Denmark, warns drivers of crashes ahead, giving them time to react, avoid danger and stay safe. By sharing real-time data between vehicles, it helps prevent secondary collisions and keeps traffic moving.

Celebrating milestones that have shaped road safety for all

Frequently asked questions

At Volvo Cars, we've innovated safety features that've had wide impacts on the industry. In 1959, Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin introduced the three-point safety belt, a groundbreaking invention that's saved countless lives. By studying real-world crashes and understanding how the body reacts to impact, he created a design that was effective and timeless. Putting people and their safety first became the backbone of our safety philosophy. What's more, by sharing patent for this three-point safety belt with the entire industry, we've contributed to saving over a million lives.

Safety isn’t automatically one-size-fits-all. That’s why we launched the E.V.A. (Equal Vehicles for All) initiative: to share over 50 years of research on how real people, in all shapes and sizes, in different seating positions, experience crashes. We believe that protection should be built for everyone, not just the average crash-test dummy. And by making our insights public, we’re pushing the industry to design cars that truly put people first.

We integrate advanced technologies such as high-definition sensors and radar systems to create a comprehensive safety network in our vehicles. This sophisticated array of equipment enables real-time monitoring of the vehicle's surroundings, detecting potential hazards and enhancing driver awareness to help prevent accidents. Additionally, our continuous investment in research and development and testing beyond traditional safety standards ensures that our safety features evolve to meet the challenges of real-world driving.

Speed is a powerful force, but with it comes responsibility. That’s why, in 2020, we made the deliberate decision to cap the top speed of all new Volvo vehicles at 180 km/h (112 m/h). This proactive step reflects our goal of reducing the risks associated with high-speed driving. We also want to start a wider conversation about speeding as a traffic safety issue. Lower speeds give drivers more time to react when the unexpected occurs, helping to make roads safer for everyone.