A vehicle communication system

A communication system 12 is disclosed for an automotive vehicle 10 that uses existing vehicle components with only slight modifications that can be implemented in readily changeable software. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle bus 14 and a vehicle information source 28 coupled to the vehicle bus 14, a transmitter 16 to transmit a first communication having a first transmitter identification code and first vehicle information, a receiver 22 is coupled to the vehicle bus 14 for receiving a second communication word having second vehicle information from a second vehicle and supplying it to the vehicle bus. The automotive vehicle 10 also has a safety system 36 and a safety system controller 34 coupled to the bus 14. The safety system controller 34 actuates the safety system 36 in response to the second vehicle information.