In a recent development, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that automatic emergency braking will soon be mandatory for all new passenger vehicles in the United States. This regulation is expected to significantly reduce the number of road accidents and save lives. The government believes that this safety measure is long overdue and will address the increasing number of traffic deaths that occur each year in the country. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of implementing such technologies to improve road safety.
While around 90% of new vehicles currently come equipped with automatic braking systems, the new regulation will set performance standards to ensure their effectiveness. The goal is to prevent rear-end collisions and pedestrian accidents by requiring vehicles to automatically stop and avoid obstacles, even at night. The regulation will require automakers to enhance their software and potentially add hardware like radar to comply with the new standards. Although this may increase the cost of vehicles, the government estimates that it will save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce property damage.
Critics argue that the standards should have been implemented sooner and suggest that the regulations should have included provisions for spotting vulnerable road users like cyclists and scooter riders. The new rule mandates that all passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds must have features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection braking. Vehicles will be required to stop and avoid collisions with vehicles ahead at speeds up to 62 mph and apply brakes automatically at speeds up to 90 mph if a collision is imminent. The systems must also detect pedestrians during both day and night time.
The agency reported that a significant number of rear-end crashes and pedestrian fatalities occur at speeds above 25 mph, which are not covered by the voluntary agreement currently in place. The regulation aims to ensure that all vehicles meet minimum performance requirements for automatic emergency braking. Random tests will be conducted to verify compliance with the standards. While automakers have the flexibility to choose the type of sensors for their systems, radar will need to be added to about 5% of existing systems to meet the requirements.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety have welcomed the new standards, stating that it will provide clarity to consumers about the effectiveness of automatic braking systems. The organization believes that having these regulations in place will enhance consumer protection and improve road safety. However, some advocates are concerned that the rule does not address standards for bicyclists or scooter users. Despite some criticisms, the government remains committed to implementing these regulations to reduce road accidents and save lives in the future.
