Ford has introduced new technology that could help keep drivers safer on rural roads.

Road Edge Detection scans the road ahead and can gently steer the vehicle back on track when needed

According to EU figures, 54% of road fatalities in 2017 took place on rural roads, versus 38% in urban areas and 8% on motorways.

To make journeys safer, Ford’s new Road Edge Detection (see video here) steers clear of ditches and drops to keep drivers on the road. Designed for use on rural roads at speeds of 45-70mph, the technology makes use of camera located below the rear-view mirror to monitor road edges 50m in front of the vehicle and 7m to the side.

Where a paved road becomes a soft verge, gravel hard shoulder or grass, the system provides gentle steering support as required to prevent the vehicle from drifting off the carriageway. And if the driver still stays too close to the edge, alerts in the form of vibrations through the steering wheel will provide a further prompt to take action.

It can also provide steering support on marked roads when the lane marking is obscured or hidden by snow, leaves or rain.

However, Ford does warn that paved ditches or concrete-covered drops may not be detected.

Road Edge Detection as part of Lane-Keeping Aid is standard on Focus, Kuga and Puma, and will be part of the expanding driver assistance technologies being rolled out to new Ford vehicles.