NHTSA Mandate Automatic Emergency Braking on Buses and Trucks
On Thursday, June 22, 2023, the federal traffic safety agency announced that buses and heavy trucks must have automatic emergency braking equipment installed in the next five years. The government estimates that this measure will prevent nearly 20,000 crashes annually and save a minimum of 155 lives yearly.
The recent decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration aligns with a similar requirement introduced for new light trucks and passenger vehicles. These measures demonstrate the agency’s continuous commitment to regulating electronic systems that take on responsibilities traditionally performed by drivers.
Life-Saving Potential
In the past, the NHTSA has hesitated to impose such regulations, citing the evolving nature of the technology during the rule-making process. The chief counsel of the safety agency, Ann Carlson, states that implementing automatic emergency braking systems will significantly reduce the occurrence and severity of rear-end collisions, rollover accidents, and crashes caused by a loss of motorist control.
During a press conference, she emphasized the life-saving potential of systems for advanced driver assistance, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB). Introducing this new requirement marks a significant advancement in enhancing safety on American roads by reducing and ultimately eradicating avoidable accidents that cause harm to individuals.
Details of the New Mandated Regulation
The forthcoming regulation will apply to newly manufactured buses and trucks with a minimum weight of 10,000 pounds and is anticipated to be finalized in the coming year. Once the rule is officially established, the heaviest trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds will be mandated for the braking system installation within three years. In contrast, vehicles of weights between 10,000 to 26,000 pounds must comply with the regulation by 2028.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems rely on front-facing cameras and sensor technologies to detect impending collisions. Without driver intervention, the braking system activates automatically, providing additional braking force if necessary to address the motorist’s actions behind the wheel. As per the proposed standard, the technology must be operational within a speed range of 6 to 50 mph.
Support from the Trucking Industry Group
The leading industry lobbying group, the American Trucking Association (ATA), approved the announcement. The vice president of safety policy in the trucking industry, Dan Horvath, has voiced his endorsement for the utilization of well-established safety technologies, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB). In light of the recent regulation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which mandates AEB on all new passenger vehicles, Horvath considers the proposal for implementing AEB in heavy-duty trucks to be both appropriate and timely.
Accident Prevention
Based on NHTSA statistics, there are approximately 60,000 rear-end collisions involving buses or heavy trucks as the striking vehicle each year. Once the proposed rule is implemented, NHTSA estimates the prevention of approximately 20,000 collisions, saving 155 lives and averting nearly 9,000 injuries every year.
The agency asserts that the rule regarding new light trucks and passenger cars will significantly decrease rear-end collisions, resulting in a minimum of 360 lives saved per year. Moreover, it is expected to reduce injuries by at least 24,000 each year and minimize property damage.
Step in the Right Direction
The proposal is regarded by the Transportation Department, including the NHTSA, as a vital step in the direction of reducing roadway fatalities. Despite a slight decrease in the number of individuals lost in U.S. road accidents last year, totaling 42,795, the agency maintains that it continues to be a pressing national crisis.
Implementing automatic emergency brakes directly results from a provision within the 2021 infrastructure law, which mandates their incorporation in all types of vehicles, including passenger and commercial vehicles.
Standard Feature in New Models
As of the 15th of December, automakers had made the technology a standard feature in most or all of their new model vehicles. General Motors has committed to making AEB a standard feature on almost all its cars by the end of the current model year.
While automatic braking systems are not infallible, NHTSA has initiated three investigations into instances where Freightliner, Honda, and Tesla systems activated the brakes without apparent reason.
The YouTube video below explains big trucks and buses’ automatic emergency braking standards.
California Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. In the event that you or a loved one has experienced significant injuries in an accident in Sacramento or any other part of Northern California, we encourage you to promptly contact our legal team at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We are here to provide assistance and support during this challenging time. We offer free, friendly, and compassionate advice. With a track record dating back to 1982, our law firm has successfully assisted numerous clients in obtaining the highest possible verdicts and settlements.
Photo by Yassine Khalfalli on Unsplash
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