Fewer Back-Up Crashes with AEB
While front automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems have greater life-saving potential, rear AEB appears to save many drivers from the expense and inconvenience of being involved in a fender bender, according to research recently updated by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). In fact, rear AEB stood out in the agency’s yearly compilation of its research into crash avoidance technology.
The updated analysis on rear AEB added data from insurance companies for 2015-2018 Subarus – some with rear AEB and some without. The Subaru data was added to a prior study done of 2014-15 GM vehicles. The research revealed that between the two automakers, vehicles that had rear AEB had significantly fewer (nearly 30%) third-party property damage claims and 10 percent fewer first-party collision claims. An official for HLDI remarked that the reduction in claims was very significant and to the degree that had not been seen before when analyzing any other driver assistance system.
Rear AEB Does Not Result in Fewer Injuries
Rear AEB is designed to avoid crashes when a car is backing up. These collisions are usually at low speeds, and while they do result in property damage claims, the potential for injury in backing collisions is smaller. That is why the study on rear AEB did not reveal any differences with regard to accident injury claims.
A substantial number of insurance property claims are related to low-speed back-up crashes. Rear damage claims of less than $2,000 accounted for 17% of all collision claims and more than $8 billion in damages estimated from 2010 to 2017.
Front AEB Comparison
HLDI research shows that front AEB results in a 3% reduction in the number of collision claims and a 14% reduction in property damage claims. Additionally, the front systems result in a reduction of nearly 25% for bodily injury liability claims. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did a similar study, which found that front AEB reduced front-to-rear crashes by half.
How the Technology Works
Both rear and front AEB systems employ sensors – either radar or cameras – to detect when the car is getting too close to an object. The system will then apply brakes automatically to mitigate or avoid a collision. Both rear and front systems are tested and rated by IIHS, but currently, only the performance of the front crash prevention system is a criterion for IIHS safety pick designations.
Watch the YouTube video that explains how AEB systems work.
Comparing the Technology with Back-Up Cameras
HLDI determined that the commonly installed safety systems of parking sensors and back-up cameras, both designed to prevent crashes while in reverse, were far less effective than rear AEB. Back-up cameras only reduced third-party property damage claims by 5% and actually may have slightly increased the frequency of first-party collision claims. Parking sensors showed similar results. The data revealed that collision avoidance technology that involves the system intervening automatically to mitigate or prevent crashes is more effective than systems that only give warnings.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
Thank you for visiting our legal blog. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento, California. As experienced injury lawyers, we know that even a relatively minor accident can result in aggravating injuries. If you have been injured in a car crash that was caused by the negligence and carelessness of another driver, we would be happy to provide you with free and friendly advice. Our legal team can be reached at (916) 921-6400, or if you will be calling from outside the local area code, please use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400. Our website also includes an option to reach us online.
The links below will take you to reviews from some of our prior clients as well as a sampling of past case results:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/crashed-car-damage-dent-hood-crash-2727666/
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