Patent ID: 7057501
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: B60Q,G07C,G08G

Abstract:
1. A tailgate warning system, installed within a target vehicle, having front and rear exterior corners, comprising: a front rangefinder, for determining a following distance between the target vehicle and a vehicle traveling in front of the target vehicle; a rear rangefinder, for determining a followed distance between the target vehicle and a vehicle traveling behind the target vehicle; a target vehicle speed sensor, for determining the speed of the target vehicle; an audible and visual dashboard alert, for producing an audible and visual warning; exterior hazard lights located at the front and rear exterior corners of the target vehicle; a control unit, for determining if an unsafe following distance has been breached from the determined following distance and the determined target vehicle speed and activating the audible and visual dashboard alert in response thereto, and for determining if an unsafe followed distance has been breached from the determined followed distance and the target vehicle speed and activating the audible and visual dashboard alert and the exterior hazard lights in response thereto; an incident memory, for recording incidents of unsafe following distance determinations by the control unit; and wherein the system is used in conjunction with a centralized computer system having a driver records database and a data receiver in communication with the driver records database; and a data transmitter for transmitting the recorded incidents in the incident memory to the driver records database through the data receiver.