I can see a possible flaw in this one...

Volvo have apparently come up with a radar gadget that can apply the brakes if you approach a cyclist (or pedestrian) too closely. This is supposedly a last resort after the car lights up light a Christmas tree inside and sounds an aggravating buzzer to get a drivers attention. They claim it will save lives...
Mail.

Volvo has launched a revolutionary safety device that scans for cyclists and automatically brakes if a collision is imminent.
The Swedish car firm says the camera and radar-guided technology, which is being introduced into cars from May, could save hundreds of lives.
The system comprises a radar scanner in the grille, a camera fitted in front of the rear-view mirror, and an onboard computer. It allows the car to identify cyclists who swerve into its path and reacts by slamming on the brakes.

Can anyone imagine the insurance fiasco that will erupt when someone blames the automatic braking system for a tail end smash? Or a claim that said they were distracted by "a loud audible warning and a visible warning of a row of red lights flashing up on the windscreen?" Modern cars are actually a lot safer for drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists as they contain many features designed to crumple and absorb impacts as well as smoothed surfaces. What they can't do is account for a pedestrian or cyclist doing something stupid and I suspect this device may just cause more problems than it purports to resolve. It's pointless having the car brake to avoid the cyclist in front if a cyclist behind runs into you nor would I expect any distractions flashing up on the windscreen be anything other than a serious distraction for the driver. they may actually be illegal.
Still I do wonder if this is the first step in nanny statism for drivers to be removed from the process of actually doing any driving at all. Self steering? Sat Nav auto drive? Just sit in the back and let the machine do it all for you...
Why is life becoming so terribly joyless?