Method and apparatus for avoiding rear-end collisions

An apparatus for avoiding rear-end collisions upon initial movement behind a vehicle located in front, comprising:

• ascertaining at least one of (a) a distance and (b) a speed relative to the vehicle in front by a surrounding-area sensor apparatus directed into an area in front of a host vehicle;
• when an initial-movement situation exists, evaluating a driver-actuated longitudinal dynamics stipulation as to whether a risk of collision by the host vehicle with the vehicle in front exists;
• when a collision risk exists, at least one of (a) intervening in at least one of (i) a drive train and (ii) deceleration devices of the host vehicle in order to decrease the collision risk and (b) activating driver warning devices to inform a driver as to the collision risk.

A method for avoiding rear-end collisions upon initial movement behind a vehicle located in front, comprising:

• a surrounding-area sensor apparatus configured to ascertain at least one of (a) a distance and (b) a speed relative to the vehicle in front;
• a device configured to evaluate a driver-actuated longitudinal dynamics stipulation, as a function of the at least one of (a) the distance and (b) the speed relative to the vehicle in front, and when an initial-movement situation exists, as to whether a risk of collision by a host vehicle with the vehicle in front exists, and, when a collision risk exists, to at least one of (a) intervene in at least one of (i) a drive train and (ii) deceleration devices of the host vehicle in order to decrease the collision risk and (b) output a driver warning to inform a driver as to the collision risk.