Automatic Emergency Braking Can Reduce Accidents
Two recent studies found that automatic emergency braking can reduce pickup truck collisions by over 40 percent and cut the number of rear-end car accidents in half.
The studies by the insurance industry and a government-auto industry partnership used crash data to determine the findings. According to the data, automatic emergency braking can slow vehicles to reduce the severity or stop them if an accident is imminent.
Several automakers are moving toward a commitment to make the automatic emergency braking technology standard equipment on 95 percent of their light-duty vehicle models by August 2023.
The Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety Study
The Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) studied emergency braking and forward collision warnings. The group found that:
- Front-to-rear accidents were cut by 49 percent when the car had forward collision alert and automatic braking.
- Rear collisions with injuries were reduced by 53 percent.
- Vehicles with forward collision warning systems cut rear-end accidents by 16 percent and collisions with injuries by 19 percent.
- Lane departure warning and lane-keeping systems cut accidents by 8 percent and crashes that cause injuries by 7 percent.
The study also showed automatic emergency braking works excellent in all conditions, even when weather or roadway conditions are not ideal. Automakers said these emerging technologies can significantly reduce the number of crashes and improve road safety outcomes.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Study
In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study, the group found that:
- Automatic braking cuts rear crashes for pickup trucks by 43 percent and injury crashes by 42 percent.
- Ford, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Volkswagen, and Stellantis have confirmed this year that they have made emergency braking standards on about 90 percent of their models.
- General Motors reported that only 73 percent of its models had the technology at the end of the 2022 model year but would hit 98 percent by the end of the current model year.
Researchers said pickup trucks account for one out of five passenger vehicles on the roads in the United States, and their large size can be hazardous to occupants in smaller vehicles. Yet the study found that fewer pickup trucks are equipped with automatic braking than other vehicles.
What To Do If Your Brakes Fail
Brakes do not entirely fail, but the distance it takes to stop a car dramatically increases. This is considered a brake failure. If your brakes fail, you must find a way to stop your vehicle safely. It may help to put the transmission into a lower gear. Be careful not to downshift too quickly since this may cause your car to skid. Don’t put it in neutral or shut off the engine, either. This will eliminate power steering. Activating the emergency brake may help slow down your car, although it is not a guaranteed method.
Discovering the Cause of Brake Failure
An accident reconstructionist can use evidence from the accident scene to determine the cause of the crash. Since there are many possibilities, a knowledgeable investigator can discover whether the brakes’ design or manufacture was at fault, if a mechanic did a lousy job, if the pads were worn, or if the brake fluid was low.
How an Experienced Lawyer Can Help
Brake failures can occur for several reasons, so it is essential to establish accurate liability to claim accident injury damages. An experienced injury lawyer can investigate the source of the brake failure and ensure the appropriate claims are filed before the statute of limitations runs out.
Filing a personal injury against a large auto manufacturer can be overwhelming and intimidating. This is why it makes sense to retain the services of an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney.
Watch the YouTube Video: Experienced Lawyers in Sacramento. The video below explains how our experienced injury attorneys at AutoAccident.com fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury attorney. If you have been seriously hurt in a traffic accident, call our law firm at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. You can also reach us through our contact form online at AutoAccident.com.
Since 1982, our injury lawyers have helped those in Northern California obtain fair compensation in car accidents and traumas like brain injuries and wrongful death.
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