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Standard Automatic Emergency Braking is Coming to New Light Vehicles Well Ahead of Schedule

Ten of the biggest automakers in the United States market who have agreed to voluntarily equip almost all of their new light vehicles with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems have produced results ahead of their targeted 2022-23-year models. What does this mean for folks buying new vehicles? And do these systems really reduce the number of car accidents in California? Keep reading to get answers to these and other questions.

Not All – But Most – Cars Have AEB

These ten manufacturers have added AEB to 95% of the vehicles they manufactured between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020. Three other auto manufacturers exceeded 90% as well, but five of the 20 automakers that agreed to the pact equipped fewer than half of their new vehicles with AEB in the same time period.

The Ten Automakers Ahead of Schedule

Four of the ten automakers made the change even sooner than the others: Audi, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla all made the changes last year. In 2020, another six joined them: BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Mazda, and Subaru.

The Progress of Other Manufacturers

In addition to those ten automakers, Ford, Honda, and Nissan have the technology in nine out of ten vehicles they produced in 2020. Kia equipped three out of four of their vehicles with AEB, while Porsche is at 55%.

There are no phase-in milestones, but there are a few manufacturers that are not at all on track to make their commitment. Notably, Fiat Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Maserati, Jaguar Land Rover, and General Motors have equipped less than half of their vehicles with AEB as of the 2020 models. As we mentioned, there are not any phase-in milestones, so they can still meet the terms of the agreement, but they should start catching up soon.

The Details of the Agreement

The manufacturers that agreed to the project all have provided reports on their progress. The agreement was that they would equip at least 95% of all light-duty cars and light-duty trucks that weigh less than 8,500 with crash avoidance technology by the production year that begins in September of 2022. This was brokered in a deal in 2015 between the IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Have You Suffered an Injury That Might Have Been Prevented with AEB?

How many accidents can AEB prevent? It is hard to say because there are so many factors involved. One thing that is certain is that speed is an issue in many fatal car accidents. While AEB doesn’t prevent vehicles from speeding, it does apply the brakes quickly, which can lower the speed of impact – and that could cause many fewer deaths and catastrophic injuries.

If you have been injured in a car accident and are in need of legal advice, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation.