Studies Show This Crash-Avoidance Technology Is Becoming Much More Effective

Whether it’s a creature comfort or the latest safety device, new automotive features tend to start out in luxury models before trickling down into ordinary cars, trucks, and SUVs. That was the case with automatic emergency braking, a system designed to avoid impending collisions by engaging the brakes without the driver’s input.

It’s getting better

Not only is AEB now offered as standard or optional equipment in a wide range of new vehicles, but it’s also far more accurate and effective than it was just a few short years ago. According to evidence compiled in an American Automobile Association study, 2024 vehicles equipped with this technology are about twice as likely to apply the brake prior to a crash than those that are six or seven years old.

The test vehicles were driven at three speeds — 12, 25, and 35 mph — on a closed course with a decoy vehicle in the road to simulate a potential crash.

To account for variables between vehicles, researchers directly compared a 2024 model and either a 2017 or 2018 model of the Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Outback. In their testing, they found that the older vehicles applied the brakes in 51% of all trials — the newer ones did it in 100% of the cases.

The countdown is on

A separate study in 2022 found that AEB was significantly more effective in low-speed situations than speeds typically seen on most roads. The latest evidence, however, indicates that the technology is now far more reliable at a range of speeds.

There’s still some work to do when it comes to preventing other types of crashes, such as T-bone collisions.

But this recent improvement is important, since automakers face a new federal mandate to include an advanced AEB system in all vehicles as of 2029.

Chris Agee October 25th, 2024

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