The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has
announced it will soon require new vehicles to come equipped with automatic
emergency braking systems if they are to be given a 5-star safety rating. This
new mandate will begin with model year 2018.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) technology relies on
sensors in the vehicle that detect when a crash is likely about to happen and
warns the driver, and then engages the brakes if necessary. This technology is
mainly used to prevent rear-end collisions, as well as other scenarios where
drivers fail to brake on time in order to avoid a crash.
U.S. Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx, states that
this automatic emergency braking system has the potential to “substantially”
increase safety, especially considering the large amount of distracted drivers
on the road. Unlike drivers who may feel drowsy or distracted while driving,
the AEB system is always on alert in the event that a driver’s reaction time
and motor skills are delayed.
This system is important and will be a benefit to future
car-buyers who can’t afford expensive vehicles, considering this safety
technology right now is only available with the most expensive models of
vehicles. Therefore, while this technology already exists, the majority of
people don’t have access to it. So by making this technology a standard
feature, soon more drivers may be able to benefit from this feature.
So far, there are 10 auto manufacturers that plan to make
AEB technology a standard feature in all future vehicles. These manufacturers
include: Volvo, Volkswagen, Toyota, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, General
Motors, Ford, BMW, and Audi. And although the 5-star rating system is used for “recommended
safety technology,” auto manufacturers do not legally have to include it.
However, being able to market a vehicle with a 5-Star rating title is very
useful seeing as how safety is a major concern to many consumers.
Consumer Reports recently evaluated a number of AEB systems
available and the director of auto testing believes this technology can be the
“biggest safety advancement since the introduction of stability control,” which
was introduced over 20 years ago. A report by the National Transportation
Safety Board also indicates that AEB technology could possibly prevent 80
percent of all rear-end collisions, which in turn could end up saving about
1,700 lives each year.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
