The analyses of the UDV (German Insurers Accident Research) have shown that the potential of night vision systems in the case of accidents involving cars and pedestrians very much depends on the design of the man-machine interface as well as the beam of light of the dipped headlights. Based on an analysis of 489 accidents involving cars and pedestrians from the accident data of the insurers, 191 accidents that occurred in the dark were investigated with regard to the potential of night vision systems based on infrared technology. It was found that for accidents occurring in the dark involving cars and pedestrians the systems had a potential impact of ≤ 8% as a percentage of all accidents. The systems are capable of having a positive influence, in particular,

when it comes to accidents with serious consequences (occurring at high speed outside built-up areas). Current night vision systems are purely information systems, so their potential impact can only be realized if the driver reacts in an ideal way in the critical situation – in other words, if the driver can intuitively absorb the information offered and act upon it. If this is not the case, the potential can fall to zero or even, theoretically, reduce the level of safety – if the driver is distracted by the system. The potential impact of night vision systems varies greatly depending on the vehicle’s conventional lights. An increase in the distance at which subjects say they can see things from 38 to 50 meters as a result of the available dipped headlight systems reduces the potential of night vision systems to about 4%.