Driver warning system

A driver warning system comprising:

• a first sensor for detecting a distance-based parameter between a driver vehicle and a traffic vehicle;
• a second sensor for detecting a driver vehicle handling condition;
• a controller having a multi-variable lookup table corresponding to a plurality of predetermined safety statuses including said distance-based parameter and said driver vehicle handling condition for determining a plurality of safety status levels which includes first and second status levels;
• and
• an alert signal having first and second operational states representing said first and said second safety status levels, respectively, said second operational state being more intense than said first operational state.

A method of warning a driver of a potentially unsafe condition comprising the steps of:

• a) detecting headway time between a driver vehicle and a traffic vehicle;
• b) determining a safety status of the driver vehicle relative to the traffic vehicle;
• c) comparing the safety status to a plurality of safety status levels with each of the plurality of safety status levels corresponding to a particular alert signal intensity;
• d) selecting a safety status level for the safety status;
• and
• e) activating an alert signal at the alert signal intensity for the safety status.

A method of warning a driver of a potentially unsafe condition comprising the steps of:

• a) detecting range rate between a driver vehicle and a traffic vehicle;
• b) determining a safety status of the driver vehicle relative to the traffic vehicle;
• c) comparing the safety status to a plurality of safety status levels with each of the plurality of safety status levels corresponding to a particular alert signal intensity;
• d) selecting a safety status level for the safety status;
• and
• e) activating an alert signal at the alert signal intensity for the safety status.