Automatic Emergency Braking Will Soon Be Included In All Cars

Originally published by Blizzard & Nabers Blog.

Maybe you were changing the radio station or distracted by something outside your window. You look back to the road and realize you are quickly heading toward the fender of the car in front of you. You slam on the brakes, but it’s too late. Accidents like these are incredibly common. Unfortunately, the resulting car accidents can cause serious injuries, particularly if it’s not a vehicle you collide with, but a pedestrian. However, thanks to car manufacturers, automatic emergency braking will soon be a standard feature on all cars.

What Is Automatic Emergency Braking?

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a safety feature available on cars that will apply the brakes to prevent collisions. Sensors on vehicles equipped with this feature constantly scan for other cars, pedestrians, and other hazards and apply the brakes to prevent collisions. While many cars on the road today have AEB, it isn’t a standard feature on most vehicles.

Toyota has made great strides in implementing this technology, reporting that 56% of their 2017 fleet included AEB technology. Unfortunately, other popular manufacturers like Honda and General Motors only included AEB in 30% and 20% of their 2017 fleet respectively. This type of technology can greatly decrease the number of car accidents, and car manufacturers are stepping up to the plate to make it a standard feature on all vehicles.

Automakers Pledge To Make The Roads Safer

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently announced a voluntary pledge made by 20 automakers to include AEB in all vehicles by September 1, 2022. These vehicles will have low-speed AEB systems and forward collision warning (FCW). These technologies will make the roads much safer because they will help prevent accidents caused by inattentive drivers. The IIHS estimates the commitment to AEB technology will prevent 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries by 2025, just three years after completion of the project.

Luckily for consumers, the automakers included in the pledge make up over 99% of the automobile market, meaning nearly every new vehicle produced will be equipped with this technology. Automakers that made the pledge include: Audi, BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

Keeping The Roads Safe Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Although AEB technology can prevent many accidents, the technology cannot completely eradicate car accidents. Every day, careless drivers get behind the wheel and put everyone on the roadways at risk. If you were hurt in a Houston car accident, the experienced attorneys at Blizzard & Nabers LLP can help. We’ve helped scores of victims obtain rightful compensation from negligent drivers. Call us today to see how we can help.

Curated by Texas Bar Today. Follow us on Twitter @texasbartoday.

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