On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced new proposed safety standards that would require heavy vehicles to have automatic emergency braking systems to mitigate the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes.
The NHTSA said the AEB system uses multiple sensor technologies that work to detect a vehicle in a crash imminent situation. The system would automatically apply the brakes if a driver has not already done so in those situations, or would apply more braking force to supplement the driver’s breaking. Once implemented, the new safety standard would prevent 19,118 crashes, save 155 lives and prevent 8,814 injuries, the NHTSA estimated.
“Advanced driver assistance systems like AEB have the power to save lives,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson. “Today’s announcement is an important step forward in improving safety on our nation’s roadways by reducing, and ultimately eliminating, preventable tragedies that harm Americans.”
The agencies used feedback from the safety advocacy community, industry representatives and other interested parties to address safety on American roads. The American Trucking Association, which advocated making AEB systems standard equipment on all vehicles in 2015, supported the new safety regulation.
“ATA has long supported the use of AEB on all new vehicles,” ATA Vice President of Safety Policy Dan Horvath said. “With NHTSA’s recent regulation requiring AEB on all new passenger vehicles, this proposal for heavy-duty trucks is timely and appropriate. The trucking industry supports the use of proven safety technology like automatic emergency braking.”
The proposal defines heavy vehicles as those weighing over 10,000 pounds, such as heavy-duty trucks and buses. A similar rule that would require AEB systems in all passenger vehicles and light trucks was also proposed.
“Establishing AEB standards is a key component of the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “This technology can enhance the effectiveness of commercial motor vehicle crash reduction strategies and reduce roadway fatalities.”