Patent ID: 8036804

Claim:
A method for controlling speed or distance or both speed and distance in motor vehicles having a distance-related longitudinal control system, comprising the steps of: setting a clear drive acceleration value with the distance-related longitudinal control systems for reaching a preset speed during clear driving; setting a follow drive acceleration value with the distance-related longitudinal control systems for maintaining a preset distance from a target object during follow drive operation of the target object; setting a transition acceleration value with the distance-related longitudinal control systems if the target object is lost during follow drive operation; wherein the transition acceleration value is set for a duration of a time interval, is dependent on a speed at the time of the target object loss and is determined as a function of the time after the target object loss such that the transition acceleration value corresponds for a predetermined time to a start acceleration value and the transition acceleration value then changes continuously during the time interval from the start acceleration value to the clear drive acceleration value.