Many safety and self-driving technology systems are applauded for helping Americans arrive safely at their destinations. But a new study released by AAA reveals that not all safe driving technology is created equal. In fact, the automatic braking systems designed to prevent cars from crashing into other vehicles, objects, or pedestrians, vary from car to car and may give motorists a false sense of security.
Contrary to popular belief, some emergency braking systems are not designed to completely stop the vehicle. Instead, the automatic systems only slow the vehicle in an effort to prevent a collision or lessen the impact of a crash, while the driver is still required to control the car to completely avoid a crash.
Despite the variance in performance and system limitations, automatic braking technology is becoming more widespread in new vehicles as it is widely commended by safety experts as a potentially life-saving technology. Today, automatic emergency braking is included as a standard feature in only ten percent of cars, but over half of new vehicles offer it as an option. It will soon become even more common in new cars as over twenty automakers have committed to making automatic emergency braking systems a standard feature in all new vehicles by the year 2022.
While the technology is becoming more widespread, drivers cannot make assumptions about the specific technology in each vehicle. AAA points out that drivers with the automatic emergency braking feature should be familiar with the capabilities and limitations of the system installed in their vehicle. It’s also important for drivers to always stay alert and engaged when operating a motor vehicle, and not become overly reliant on the automatic braking technology in their car.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s error and need help with your claim, contact Andrew Gebhardt today for a free consultation at agebhardt@smithwelchlaw.com or call 770-389-4864.
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