American car manufacturers are about to release a big safety update. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has completed a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard mandating that by 2029, automated emergency braking (AEB) be installed in all light vehicles, including sedans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and pickup trucks.
This mission aims to save lives by averting tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities each year.
AEB will be required for all light vehicles
Even though AEB is currently present in many cars on the road today, its current iterations frequently have limits, especially when traveling at higher speeds or in challenging circumstances like identifying cyclists or pedestrians.
Roughly 90% of modern light vehicles have basic AEB systems installed, according to the DOT. But the new regulation demands a more sophisticated version of this technology.
According to the regulation, automakers have to install more reliable AEB systems that can identify vulnerable users of the road, such bicycles and pedestrians, especially in low-light situations like at night.
Not only will these improved technologies aid in preventing accidents at low speeds but also in situations where vehicles are traveling at a quicker pace.
What are the plans for the new AEB systems?
The performance requirements for the upgraded AEB systems would be more stringent. In particular, cars must be able to stop and steer clear of oncoming traffic at speeds up to 62 mph, according to the new rule.
Additionally, the systems need to recognize pedestrians both during the day and at night so that they can automatically apply the brakes when needed.
In addition, the system has to apply the brakes at up to 90 mph when it senses an impending accident with another car and at 45 mph when it detects a person.
The existing systems, which frequently struggle to function efficiently at higher speeds or in scenarios involving non-vehicle road users, are much improved by these new performance standards.
Addressing the limitations of the available AEB technology
Even though current AEB systems are useful in lowering rear-end collisions at lower speeds, there are noticeable performance gaps, according to research from groups like the AAA.
The AAA’s testing has shown that in more complicated accident scenarios, such T-bone collisions or left-turn collisions, which account for about 40% of traffic fatalities, these systems frequently do not perform as intended.
The effectiveness of current AEB technology in reducing kid accidents has been proven to be insufficient, and it typically performs badly at night. The new law aims to overcome these restrictions, which have been a focal point in calls for more extensive safety safeguards.
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New rules
The U.S. traffic death rate is starting to drop following a peak during the pandemic years, coinciding with the implementation of this AEB regulation.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 42,514 persons died in auto accidents in 2023, a 3.6% decrease from the year before. Despite this improvement, the number of fatalities is still concerning—more than 40,000 people lost their lives in road accidents for the third year in a row.
It is anticipated that the installation of sophisticated AEB systems would further reduce these numbers, enhancing everyone’s safety on American roadways.
Manufacturers must ensure that their vehicles are outfitted with the technology required to save lives and avert needless crashes by 2029 in order to comply with the new law.
Next, heavy-duty cars?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to enforce such guidelines for large automobiles, particularly those beyond 10,000 pounds, and heavy-duty trucks. Although this regulation is still being finalized, it would help a larger variety of vehicles that often travel on roads and in densely populated regions by offering them the advantages of AEB.
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