Method for Warning the Driver of a Motor Vehicle Equipped with a Cruise Control System

A method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle, equipped with a distance-related cruise control system, of a potentially hazardous situation, the method comprising the acts of:

• maintaining the motor vehicle at a standstill using a braking torque applied by the distance-related cruise control system;
• analyzing signals of the motor vehicle indicative of whether the driver may attempt to leave the motor vehicle to determine that the driver may attempt to leave the motor vehicle;
• and
• changing the braking torque applied by the distance-related cruise control system to cause a movement of at least one of the motor vehicle and a body of the motor vehicle upon determining that the driver may attempt to leave the motor vehicle.