Subaru’s Bicyclist Detection Demonstrates Encouraging Outcomes
The Subaru EyeSight system has successfully prevented accidents with bicyclists traveling in the same direction as cars on the road, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). But it’s been less successful at avoiding crashes with bicyclists overall. However, recent changes to the EyeSight system could improve its ability to spot cyclists in the most common types of crashes.
What is the EyeSight System?
The EyeSight system is a set of advanced features that assist drivers, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and other technologies. These functions are powered by two cameras placed behind the car’s windshield. EyeSight was one of the first systems capable of preventing crashes with bicycles, but its first two versions could only detect bikes traveling in the same direction as the vehicle.
The study found that the EyeSight system decreased these so-called “parallel crashes” by 29 percent, but it didn’t make a significant impact on the overall number of crashes with bicycles. Jessica Cicchino, vice president of research at the Institute and the author of the study, pointed out that “while it’s great that early versions of EyeSight managed to avoid accidents with bicycles traveling in the same direction as the car, for a greater impact, AEB systems also need to be able to stop crashes with bicycles crossing in front of the vehicle.”
Previous research from the IIHS has shown that AEB systems can reduce rear-end collisions with other cars by 50 percent. Other studies have shown that systems that detect pedestrians can lower those crashes by 27 percent, though early versions struggled to work well in low-light conditions.
Understanding the Systems
Cicchino wanted to understand the potential for these systems to protect cyclists better. To do this, she compared the rate of bicycle accidents for Subaru models fitted with EyeSight to those without the system across 16 U.S. states from 2014 to 2020.
The cars she examined – the Forester, Crosstrek, Legacy, Impreza, Outback, and WRX models – all had the first or second version of the EyeSight system. As you might expect, these systems were better at preventing the parallel crashes they were designed to avoid than other crashes. For vehicles with the EyeSight system, the rate of parallel crashes reported by the police was 29 percent lower than for vehicles without it. The crashes at intersections and overall crash rates were 5 percent and 9 percent lower for vehicles with EyeSight, although neither of these reductions was statistically significant.
While parallel crashes often lead to deaths, Cicchino warns that her study does not definitively prove the EyeSight system’s ability to prevent fatal crashes, as high speeds and other factors could impact the system’s performance.
Third-Generation EyeSight System
Subaru’s third-generation EyeSight system is already available and designed to prevent crossing and parallel crashes. However, it’s too early to study its effectiveness in real-world situations. The 2022 Subaru Forester and WRX models in the U.S. market feature the new system, as do the 2023 Legacy, Ascent, and Outback models. The upgraded system includes a third camera that widens the system’s field of view, which could potentially detect crossing bicyclists earlier.
Cicchino highlights that, for these systems to be most effective, they must be able to prevent crashes with cyclists in dark conditions, which is when the risk of a fatal crash is highest, and in other challenging scenarios. She also points out that while such technologies are impressive, it will take a long time before all vehicles are equipped.
The following video explains the safety features of Subaru vehicles and what they are commonly used for.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a California Personal Injury Lawyer. Should you suffer serious injuries from an accident, do not hesitate to contact our legal experts at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. Since 1982, our Sacramento-based personal injury law firm has been dedicated to helping clients across Northern California secure just verdicts and settlements.
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