Should Emergency Auto Braking Come Standard in Vehicles?

As technology advances, things like automatic braking systems on cars are becoming more common. However, despite the fact that auto braking technology is available on just about every single vehicle manufactured today, and regardless of the evidence that shows how life-saving this technology can be in the event of a crash, data shows that unless it comes standard, vehicle buyers are more likely to reject auto braking than purchase it. Which raises the question: Should emergency auto braking come standard in all vehicles manufactured in the coming years?

The Benefits of Emergency Auto Braking
To be clear, automatic emergency braking systems, or (AEB systems) work by detecting an impending crash with another vehicle or object, and avoiding that crash by first notifying the driver (i.e. beeping to indicate that a crash is likely), and then actually applying the brakes to assist in stopping the vehicle and mitigating the collision if necessary. According to SaferCar.gov, AEB systems represent the "next wave of potential significant advances" in vehicle technology and safety, and have the potential to save lives and reduce the severity of crashes.

The Data: People Don't Opt In for Automatic Emergency Braking Systems
Despite the fact that AEB systems could potentially avoid a crash and save a driver's or passenger's life, a recent article published by AutoBlog.com reviews data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that shows that when AEB systems are optional, people tend to opt out. In fact, companies like Fiat-Chrysler, Kia, Mitsubishi, Ford, and Hyundai sold fewer than 10 percent of vehicles manufactured in 2017 with AEB systems. Article authors chalk this up to the fact that the systems were both optional and expensive, and often grouped with other expensive, non-essential features.

Automatic Emergency Braking Systems Should Come Standard...

The fact that:

• AEB systems can mitigate collisions; and

• Data shows that driers don't opt for this technology when it doesn't come standard in vehicles makes a strong case for the argument that AEB systems should come standard in all vehicles manufactured in 2018 and future years.

And it appears that this may soon be the case, with an NBC Nightly News report stating that AEB will be standard in the vast majority of cars by the year 2022 (which in our opinion, is not quite soon enough).

Contact Our Lawyers Today if You're Involved in a Car Crash
It is important to note that even when AEB systems are within a vehicle, these systems are not perfect, and sometimes technological errors and defects occur that result in the AEB system not working as intended.

If you are involved in an auto accident caused by another driver, our lawyers can investigate your claim to determine who should be liable - the driver, or the manufacturer of a piece of defective vehicle equipment or technology, or another third party. To learn more about your right to compensation and how we can help, please call the Denver car accident attorneys at Anderson Hemmat today, or send us a brief message describing your case at your earliest convenience. Consultations are offered free of charge.