Should Automatic Emergency Brakes Be Required In All New Passenger Vehicles?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a new rule that would require all new passenger vehicles and light trucks to be equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems.

AEB systems use sensors to detect objects in front of a vehicle and can automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not react in time to avoid a collision—especially rear-end accidents.

Currently, over 80% of 2022 passenger vehicles are equipped with AEBs.

Federal traffic safety administrators eye rule change

The NHTSA estimates this new rule could save up to 360 lives and prevent 24,000 injuries annually. Rear-end accidents are the most common type of collision in the United States, and AEB systems are particularly effective at preventing these types of crashes. Wider utilization of AEBs may:

• Improve driver awareness by providing visual and audible alerts when a potential collision is detected.
• Reduce driver stress by taking some of the burden of driving off the driver.

While AEBs may reduce crashes, the equipment is no panacea, says AAA. The technology has some significant weaknesses. According to AAA tests, the ability of an AEB to prevent or reduce the risk of a crash starts to diminish at speeds greater than 39 mph. At this speed, AEBs helped prevent 17 out of 20 crashes in AAA's test.

AAA tests AEB effectiveness

In 2022, AAA tested how well AEBs could help avoid crashes. They experimented with vehicles by Ford, Chevy, Honda, and Toyota. AAA found that, at 40 mph, AEBs helped avoid a collision only 30% of the time. At intersections, AAA says that automatic emergency brakes failed to prevent T-bone and left-turn scenario accidents every single time.

Researchers noted that, although the technology is still being perfected, AEB systems are essential safety features for passenger vehicles as well as large trucks and commercial vehicles. That's because even in situations where emergency brakes did not prevent collisions in AAA trials, in most cases, they were effective in slowing vehicles down by about 68%. Slower speeds reduce crash impact and injury severity.

Legal help for injured accident victims

AEB technology is a promising step forward. The equipment can help prevent crashes and stop a bad accident from getting worse. However, no matter how advanced AEBs become, accidents will still happen, and crash victims will still face challenges in recovering the compensation they deserve for their losses.

In South Carolina, when people are injured in serious or fatal car accidents due to negligence, Twenge + Twombley is here to help. Our law firm has the experience and resources necessary to get results.

Based in Beaufort and proudly serving clients in South Carolina's Lowcountry, our law firm prioritizes client service above all else. Founded by attorneys Karl D. Twenge and J. Ashley Twombley, we are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for each client. If you were injured in a rear-end accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation.