When they were designed, automatic emergency braking systems were expected to have a moderate impact on the safety of drivers in New York and across the country. Now, a recent study suggests that the improvement to vehicle safety provided by automatic emergency brakes is far greater than anticipated.
According to the study, vehicles with automatic emergency braking systems avoid far more rear-end collisions than expected and far outperform cars without these systems. The study, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, looked at vehicle accidents in General Motors vehicles from model years 2013 through 2015. This study included 10 models from Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet lineups.
Automatic emergency brakes were optional for GM vehicles during those years, so the study reviewed VIN information provided by GM and cross-referenced it with accident reports to determine how frequently vehicles with automated braking were involved in rear-end collisions compared to other vehicles. Rear-end collisions, which occur over 2.4 million times per year in the United States, were studied due to their frequency.
According to the study, vehicles with automatic emergency braking systems were involved in 43 percent fewer rear-end collisions. These vehicles were also 64 percent less likely to be involved in a rear-end crash with injuries and were 68 percent less likely to be involved in rear-end collisions that hurt third-party bystanders.
Ultimately, there is no technology that can end the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Drivers injured in accidents caused by another party may be entitled to compensation. That compensation might come in the form of medical bills, vehicle repair costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help individuals collect compensation from the responsible party by filing a lawsuit and proceeding through the judicial system.