IIHS Mandates Automatic Emergency Braking in All New Vehicles by 2029
The Biden Administration has recently announced a new rule that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB) mandatory in all new vehicles by 2029. This rule replaces a voluntary agreement signed by carmakers in 2016, which resulted in the widespread adoption of AEB systems in many new cars. However, the Department of Transportation believes that this agreement did not go far enough in making AEB standard across all new vehicles, regardless of trim level or options.
The new rule requires automakers to refine and develop the safety technology over the next five years and integrate it into every new vehicle sold in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set a compliance date of September 2029. The goal of this measure is to reduce the number of deaths on public roads in the U.S., which reached an estimated 41,000 in 2023.
According to the New York Times, some automakers have expressed concerns about the new rule, claiming that it exceeds the limits of what is technologically feasible. The rule mandates that every new “light vehicle” must automatically apply its brakes to avoid collisions with other vehicles at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. If an imminent collision is detected, the system must start applying the brakes even at speeds of up to 90 mph. The minimum forward speed for activating the system is 6 mph, and it drops to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected.
The changes in speed requirements aim to address the increase in pedestrian deaths, which can be attributed to factors such as taller front-end designs of vehicles. The NHTSA emphasizes that AEB systems must also be capable of detecting pedestrians at night or in low light conditions.
The decision to mandate AEB in all new vehicles is based on research indicating that it can significantly reduce the risk of death or injury in rear-end collisions. For example, NHTSA data shows that the probability of a driver’s death in a rear-end collision decreases from almost 20 percent at 90 mph to less than seven percent at 74 mph. Therefore, the ability of AEB systems to slow down vehicles at higher speeds is crucial in preventing fatal outcomes.
Despite claims by lobbying groups for automakers that new regulations are unnecessary due to the widespread adoption of AEB in new cars, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg believes that making AEB standard across the entire U.S. fleet is a responsibility that can save lives. He estimates that the new rule will add around $82 to the cost of a new vehicle, but considers it a worthwhile investment for the lives that will be saved.
In conclusion, the mandatory implementation of automatic emergency braking in all new vehicles by 2029 is a significant step towards improving road safety in the United States. While some concerns have been raised about the technological feasibility and cost implications, the benefits of AEB in reducing fatalities and injuries in rear-end collisions and protecting pedestrians outweigh these concerns. With the full integration of this safety technology, we can expect a significant reduction in preventable accidents and an overall improvement in road safety.
