Technology has come a long way since the very first automobile, and now, drivers can take advantage of safer cars that can practically (or literally) drive themselves! From back-up cameras to four-wheel drive, navigation systems to seatbelts, cars get safer and safer every year as manufacturers add features to cut down on accidents, eliminate the potential for human error and promote safety. This year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced plans to add automatic brake systems to the list.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is the name for any system that can determine if a car is in danger of rear-ending another vehicle. These automatic brake systems utilize cameras and radar technology to sense the area surrounding the vehicle, the speed at which it is traveling and any potential obstacles ahead. If the system feels an accident is likely, it can apply the brakes automatically to prevent a collision.
Two Types of AEB
The NHTSA will be recommending two types of AEB systems in the 5-Star Safety Ratings that rank vehicles’ rollover safety features and durability in the event of a collision: the Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) system and the Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) system. CIB detects an imminent crash (hence the name) and applies the brakes when the driver is not doing so already. If a driver is headed for a collision, and has already applied the brakes, but has not applied enough pressure, DBS will take over.
Rear-End Collisions
In 2013, one-third of all car accidents involved one car rear-ending another, and in most cases, police reports indicate that the driver did not hit the brakes with enough force or never even touched the pedal. These are the statistics that manufacturers look at when they try to develop new safety features for their vehicles, and the NHTSA also uses this information to determine what features are critical for the safety of future roads.
While the NHTSA has not made automatic braking systems a requirement for all new cars, they have taken steps to adding the systems to the revised New Car Assessment Program. This program details all the available safety features in today’s vehicles and helps new car buyers narrow down their choices to select the best and safest option.
The NHTSA has taken this route with several other safety features, such as air bags, ABS and stability control to eventually make them mandatory features for all vehicles. Most recently, the Administration has issued a requirement for all new cars to have back-up cameras beginning in 2018, and safety analysts hope that AEB is not far behind.
Automatic braking is one of many planned-for features in future vehicles, according to NHTSA’s reports. Following these systems, cars could be utilizing other technologies like self-driving features, car-to-car communication systems and more. The goal is to make our vehicles as safe as possible and keep human error and unpredictable conditions from causing complications on the road.
Although danger can never fully be eradicated from driving and transportation, technology can be used to eliminate as many risks as possible. For more information on AEB and other features, or if you have been hurt in an automobile accident and would like to discuss your rights under the law, contact Denver auto accident attorney Jordan Levine today.
