U.S. Regulations Mandate Automatic Emergency Braking in All New Vehicles Sold

Apr 30, 2024 01:36 AM EDT

CARS ON A ROAD IN WINTER — (Photo : PEXELS/Elmir Jafarov)

Apart from requiring automatic emergency braking on all cars, the US government sets standards for this technology's performance. By September 2029, all new cars manufactured in the United States must have enhanced autonomous braking systems, according to new regulations enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sold New Passenger Vehicles, Automatic Emergency Braking Required

In the US, all new passenger automobiles will soon come equipped with automated emergency braking as standard equipment. When it unveiled the final version of this new law on Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration praised it as the most significant safety regulation in the previous 20 years.

As reported by Autoblog, mandatory automatic emergency braking is set to become a standard feature, aiming to mitigate numerous rear-end and pedestrian collisions, with the goal of reducing the approximately 40,000 annual traffic fatalities.

The introduction of these regulations marks the U.S. government's inaugural endeavor to oversee automated driving functionalities, aiming to address issues associated with driver-assist and fully automated driving systems.

While approximately 90% of new vehicles currently feature standard automatic braking under a voluntary agreement with automakers, the absence of performance requirements means that some systems may not be as effective. The newly established regulations aim to rectify this by setting standards for vehicles to automatically stop and avoid collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians, even in low-light conditions.

Furthermore, the automatic emergency braking regulation, necessitating potential software enhancements and perhaps additional hardware like radar, won't be implemented for over five years. This timeframe allows automakers ample opportunity to strengthen their systems within the customary model update cycle, as stated by NHTSA.

Anticipated Effects Aside from Safer Road

As reported by CNN, the newly introduced regulations mandate that the systems must automatically engage brakes to prevent collisions and pedestrian impacts at higher speeds than the majority of existing systems. Additionally, they are required to operate effectively both during daytime and nighttime conditions.

CNN further stated AEB comes as standard in the majority of new vehicles, largely due to a voluntary agreement signed by most automakers in 2016. Presently, AEB primarily functions to avert rear-end collisions, which are frequent occurrences. Vehicles equipped with AEB utilize sensors like radar, sonar, or cameras to identify deceleration or obstacles ahead.

If the driver does not react promptly or apply sufficient braking force, the AEB system automatically activates the brakes. According to The Associated Press, the forthcoming automatic emergency braking regulation, necessitating potential software enhancements and potentially additional hardware like radar, will not be enforced for over five years.

This timeline allows automakers sufficient opportunity to reinforce their systems within the customary model update cycle, as stated by NHTSA. Additionally, the regulation is projected to increase prices, estimated at $354 million annually in 2020 dollars, or $82 per vehicle. However, Buttigieg highlighted its potential to save 362 lives annually, prevent approximately 24,000 injuries, and avert billions in property damage.

Despite the governments work to ensure safety using this new regulation, critics have something to say. The Associated Press shared these people argue that the standards should have been implemented earlier. Furthermore, they express concerns that the regulations do not seem to mandate the inclusion of features that detect individuals on bicycles, scooters, or other vulnerable road users.

The new rule stipulates that all passenger vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms) or less must be equipped with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection braking.