Front Crash Avoidance Technology Reduces Rear-End Collisions by 40%

Groundbreaking front crash avoidance technology such as forward-collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems is estimated to make a huge life-saving impact on American roads. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that by 2025, vehicles equipped with both technologies will prevent 42,000 crashes, 20,000 injuries, and reduce rear-end crashes by half.

Twenty automobile manufacturers representing almost 100% of the U.S. market agreed to equip the following vehicles with this new technology:

  • Light-duty cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds, by September 1, 2022
  • Vehicles in the 8,501-10,000-pound range, by September 2025

Unfortunately, no voluntary agreement is in place yet for large truck manufacturers ─ even though there are many benefits for equipping commercial trucks with one or both of these life-saving systems.

Benefits of FCW and AEB Systems

The benefits of commercial trucks equipped with one or both FCW and AEB systems are unquestionable when it comes to saving lives. “The potential benefits are great enough that these crash avoidance systems should be standard equipment in all new large trucks,” IIHS President David Harkey states.

A recent study by IIHS analyzed records from 62 transport companies for trucks weighing 33,000 pounds or more. The study’s results showed statistically significant reductions in the rate of crashes per vehicle mile traveled and significant reductions in rear-end crash rates when front crash prevention systems were employed. For rear-end crash rates, specifically, FCW technology showed a 44% reduction, and AEB technology showed a 41% reduction.

How Truck Crashes Are Reduced by Warning System Safety Features

FCW and AEB warning systems’ safety features help to reduce truck accidents by using radar or video cameras to monitor the road ahead. If the system detects that a front collision is likely, an audible warning will be issued for FCW-equipped trucks. For AEB-equipped trucks, auto brakes will be applied if the driver does not intervene.

Both systems help to reduce speed by over half in the time between intervention and impact, which then helps to reduce the severity of impact.

Contact Cain Law Office for Legal Assistance

If you have been injured in a trucking accident in Oklahoma, contact the Cain Law Office to talk about your legal rights. Our skilled truck accident attorneys have won over $30 million in fair and just compensation for accident victims across Oklahoma, and we’re ready to put our skills to work on your case.

To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.