US takes talking car programme for test drive

A new $18m nationwide programme in the US aims to prevent car accidents by equipping vehicles with mandatory pre-crash warning technology by 2017.

The programme is based out of the University of Michigan and is currently running a two-year test run with 3,000 drivers.

Wireless devices are installed in vehicles and communicate with devices in other cars on the road to notify drivers of unexpected movements such as sudden breaking.

Government officials say the initiative could significantly reduce road accidents.

Al Jazeera's John Hendren reports.