Safer urban driving with the Mercedes-Benz Econic.

Equipped with a range of safety features, the Econic helps to make driving in urban environments safer, both for drivers and other road users.

Designed to assist the driver when performing specialist tasks, such as refuse collection or road maintenance, the Econic combines innovation and a versatile design to create a unique urban vehicle.

Bob Gowans, Product & Sales Technical Manager for Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK, takes us through the Econic’s safety features in our latest video. Watch the walk-around or read more about why the Econic is the benchmark for safer trucks below.

Mirrors and cameras

With optional cameras and heated, electrically adjustable mirrors, the driver has a full view of what is going on around them.  In addition, the panoramic front window means that visibility is second to none. Hence the Econic was recently awarded a Direct Vision Standard rating of five stars, the highest possible accreditation.

Cab design features

The low entry cab is designed to make specialist tasks even easier. With fewer steps to climb, the crew can easily access the cab, reducing fatigue and making jobs more efficient.

The Econic also has cross-cab access meaning that the driver can easily exit via the pavement, reducing the likelihood of accidents for the driver, pedestrians and cyclists.

Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA4)

Exceeding the requirements of the 2018 General Safety Regulations, ABA4 monitors the road ahead and is able to identify potential hazards, including pedestrians, applying automated braking within the system limits if necessary.

By using a staged warning system, ABA4 can reduce the consequences of collisions or completely avoid rear-end accidents, even in urban environments.

Side Guard Assist and Rear Guard Assist

Both types of assistance technology act as the driver’s addition pair of eyes. By using a range of sensors, the systems alert the driver to potential obstructions and collision paths.

Side Guard Assist supports the driver in situations involving restricted visibility. First and foremost, this focuses on accidents such as collisions with unprotected road users in the guise of pedestrians or cyclists, accidents during cornering and impending collisions when changing lane.

Rear Guard Assist offers the driver extra support when they are reversing. With an optional camera view, the system applies automatic braking if the vehicle gets too close to an object or obstruction, providing support where there is restricted visibility.