Automobile manufacturers have brought technology into modern cars, making driving a safer and more convenient means of transportation for millions. Until recently, automatic emergency braking has been available primarily on newer cars and as an optional feature, meaning that some benefit from these systems but that the masses have yet to enjoy them. However, all that is about to change thanks to a voluntary agreement by 20 manufacturers that produce more than 99 percent of all cars, trucks, and SUVs on American roads.
The announcement came last week from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and included Audi, BMW, FCA USA LLC, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Telsa Motors, Inc., Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo Car USA as the agreeing manufacturers. These companies have voluntarily agreed to incorporate automatic emergency braking as a standard feature on their vehicles no later than September 1, 2o22 despite the fact that it has not been required by the federal government.
Automatic emergency braking is a system that enables a car to slow and/or stop without its driver’s input. This happens through the use of sensors placed outside of a vehicle which constantly monitor the area surrounding a car. If an object is detected in the car’s path as it travels and the driver does not act quickly enough, the system will engage to apply the brakes, thereby preventing a car accident or avoiding a collision with a fixed object.
Automatic emergency braking is primarily designed to help eliminate rear-end car accidents but can also avoid head-on crashes, some side impact accidents, and several other types of less common collisions. Unlike certain safety features that only benefit the occupants of the car possessing the feature, automatic braking can increase safety not only for those in a car with the technology but also for those nearby making it one of the wider-reaching new innovations in automobile design in recent years.
Until every car on the road is equipped with this technology, car accidents will continue to happen in Phoenix and, unfortunately, people will continue to be injured in those crashes. If your life has been affected by an accident in Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, or Gilbert, know that you could be entitled to recover financially for the damages you suffered, including any medical bills you incurred.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. only represent injury victims and we never represent insurance companies. If you have questions about your legal options, we want to help you understand them by providing you answers through a free case consultation. There is no obligation on your part for speaking with us and everything discussed will be kept confidential so do not hesitate to call us now. You can reach us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191.
Prior Blog Entry:
Photo Radar Banned on State Highways in Two Arizona Cities, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published March 22, 2016.