Automatic Emergency Braking to Become Standard in the US by 2022

Twenty leading automotive manufacturers who operate in US market have reached an agreement with the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make automatic emergency braking a standard feature of all cars by 2022.

It is estimated that this agreement will have a significant impact on road safety and lead to a reduction in injuries by 12,000 and fatal crashes by 28,000. Leading companies like Honda, BMW, Ford, General Motors, FCS, Nissan, Hyundai and Mitsubishi are a party to this agreement. Eventually, Automatic emergency braking systems will become an integral part of the car just like stability control and traction have gained prominence in recent years.

The agreement will be implemented in two stages. For those vehicles which are currently on the road and have a kerb weight below 8,500 pounds, AEB systems will need to be retrofitted by a deadline of September 1, 2022. Heavier vehicles which weigh between 8,501 and 10,000 pounds have been allowed an additional three years to have AEB installed.

Commenting on the agreement, the US Secretary of Transportation said in an official statement that this is an exciting time vehicle safety. Taking proactive measures to make safety features like emergency braking systems standard on vehicles will help cut crashes by thousands and save countless lives. This is definitely a milestone in terms of vehicle safety and consumer protection.