Volvo Car Corporation had a human-based philosophy already from the start.
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The founders of Volvo, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson, stated:
“Cars are driven by people – the guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo, therefore, is and must remain – safety.”

Safety cage and laminated windscreen
The safety cage and the laminated windscreen, both introduced in the Volvo PV 444 in the 1940’s were among the first important safety features in Volvo cars.
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The most prominent of all the innovations is of course the three-point safety belt in 1959, considered to be one of the most life-saving technical innovations in the history of mankind.
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The first rearward-facing child safety seat prototype was developed and tested back in 1964 (introduced 1972) and the Side Impact Protection System from 1991 are a couple of other classic examples.


Own Road Accident Research Team
In 1970, Volvo Cars established its own Road Traffic Accident Research Team to study and learn from accidents involving Volvo cars. The team has injected vital knowledge into Volvo’s research and development during its 35 years of operation.

In recent years, the development of new safety features has continued, including world firsts in the Volvo S80, Volvo XC90, the all-new Volvo S40 and Volvo V50.

Safety innovations year by year
Here follows a complete list of all important safety features introduced during the history of Volvo Cars.

1940’s
1944*Safety cage
1944*Laminated windscreen

1950’s
1954* *Defroster vents for windscreen
1956*Windscreen washers
1957*Anchor points for 2-point safety belts front
1958*Anchor points for 2-point safety belts rear
1959*3-point front safety belts standard

1960’s
1960*Padded instrument panel
1964*Disc brakes front
1964*First rearward-facing child safety seat prototype tested
1966*Rear windscreen defroster
1966*Disc brakes all around
1966*Dual split triangular braking system
1966*Crumple zones front and rear
1966*Safety door-locks
1967*Safety belt rear seats
1968*Head restraints front
1969*Interia reel safety belts
1969*Heated rear windscreen

1970’s
1971*Reminder safety belt
1972*3-point safety belts – rear
1972*Rearward-facing child safety seat
1972*Childproof locks on rear doors
1972*Warning lights (hazard)
1973*Side collision protection
1973*Collapsible steering wheel
1974*Energy absorbing bumpers
1974*Safe location of fuel tank
1974*Multistage impact absorbing steering column
1974*Bulb integrity sensor
1974*Headlight wiper/washer
1975*Day running lamps
1975*Braking system with stepped bore master cylinder
1978*Child safety booster cushion

1980’s
1982*“Anti-submarining” protection
1982*Fog lamps front
1982*Fog lamps rear
1982*Warning lights in opened door
1982*Wide angle rear view mirror
1984*ABS anti-locking brakes
1985*ETC – Electronic Traction Control
1986*Brake lights in rear window
1986*Three-point safety belt centre rear seat
1987*Mechanical safety belt pre-tensioner
1987*Airbag – driver

1990’s
1990*Integrated child safety cushion in centre rear seat
1991*SIPS – Side Impact Protection System
1991*Automatic height adjusting safety belt
1992*Reinforced rear seats in estate models
1992*Passenger airbag front
1993*Three-point inertia-reel safety belts - all rear positions
1994*SIPS-bag, side airbag
1995*DSA – Dynamic Stability Assistance
1995*Integrated child safety cushion outer rear seats
1997*ROPS – Roll Over Protection System (C70)
1998*WHIPS – Whiplash Protection System
1998*IC – Inflatable Curtain
1998*STC – Stability and Traction Control
1998*DSTC – Dynamic Stability and Traction Control
1998*EBD – Electronic Brake Distribution

2000’s
2000*ISOFIX anchorages with rearward-facing child safety seat
2000*Dual Stage Airbag
2001*SCC – Volvo Safety Concept Car
2002*RSC – Roll Stability Control
2002*ROPS – Roll Over Protection System (XC90)
2002*New integrated child seat 2nd row (XC90)
2002*Lower Cross Member (XC90)
2002*New compatible front design (XC90)
2002*Safe 3rd row seats (XC90)
2002*New Front Structure (XC90)
2003*New Front Structure (S40, V50)
2003*IDIS – Intelligent Driver Information System
2004*BLIS – Blind Spot Information System
2004*Water repellent glass