In a move to enhance road safety, the United States will require all new cars to be equipped with advanced automatic braking systems by 2029.

This significant step is expected to have a profound impact on reducing road fatalities, potentially preventing up to 360 deaths each year.

(Photo: SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Requiring Advanced Automatic Braking Systems by 2029

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled new federal safety regulations for vehicles. 

These regulations stipulate that all new passenger cars and light trucks weighing less than 10,000 pounds must be equipped with advanced automatic braking systems by 2029, a mere five years away.

These advanced braking systems are designed to bring vehicles traveling up to 62 MPH to a complete stop, thereby averting potential collisions.

Additionally, the systems are mandated to incorporate capabilities to detect and react to pedestrians approaching at speeds of up to 45 MPH, regardless of whether it is daytime or nighttime.

Experts estimate that this initiative could potentially prevent up to 360 road fatalities annually, marking a significant stride toward enhancing roadway safety across the nation.

Automatic emergency braking systems utilize sensors, lasers, and cameras to identify potential collisions. 

When a crash appears imminent, the system autonomously applies the brakes or provides brake assistance to help the driver stop quickly and safely.

Despite reports from The New York Times indicating that these systems are already present in 90% of new vehicles, many do not meet the speed thresholds specified earlier. 

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However, the NHTSA suggests that most manufacturers can enhance their existing systems through software updates to meet these standards.

According to estimates from the federal agency, the implementation of these new regulations is projected to avert more than 360 fatalities annually and mitigate the severity of over 24,000 injuries. 

Additionally, it is anticipated to result in substantial savings on property damage expenses. Cathy Chase, the president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, described introducing these regulations as a significant triumph for both consumers and public safety. 

Challenges, Concerns Surrounding New Regulations

Despite the slight decline in automobile-related fatalities from the preceding year, Engadget reported that the United States still witnessed over 41,000 such deaths in 2023 alone. 

However, the automotive industry's response to the mandate is less optimistic. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a lobbying organization representing auto manufacturers, has urged the NHTSA to explore alternative solutions. 

One notable recommendation is to adjust the speed threshold under specific circumstances, arguing that substantial hardware and software modifications would be necessary to attain a level of performance beyond the capabilities of current production vehicles.

Evaluations carried out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggest that substantial revisions may be necessary for these systems to adequately meet the requirements of the mandate.

The institute tested crash avoidance systems installed in 10 small SUVs, assessing their performance at up to 43 MPH speeds. 

Many of these systems failed to stop in the most challenging testing scenarios to prevent a collision. Notably, the Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V demonstrated the best performance among the tested vehicles.

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