AAA finds auto emergency braking improving as of October 2024
- Automatic Emergency Braking systems have shown improvements in 2024 vehicle models, successfully preventing collisions at lower speeds.
- Testing at higher speeds highlighted that none of the vehicles avoided collisions at 55 mph, raising safety concerns.
- Further advancements in AEB technology are necessary to meet upcoming federal safety requirements by 2029.
In the United States, a new AAA study released on October 24, 2024, evaluates the effectiveness of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems in preventing rear-end collisions. The study tested vehicles at speeds of 12, 25, and 35 miles per hour, revealing that AEB systems in 2024 models successfully avoided collisions 100% of the time. However, older models only managed to avoid collisions 51% of the time. AAA also assessed AEB performance at higher speeds to address limitations. At 45 mph, three out of four vehicles avoided collisions, but none managed to do so at 55 mph. This raises concerns, given upcoming National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requirements mandating vehicles to avoid forward collisions at speeds up to 62 mph by 2029. The study emphasizes the importance of balancing the systems' effectiveness against false positive alerts. Additionally, AAA encourages drivers to remain engaged and cautious while driving since AEB systems are not intended to replace driver control. There is appreciation for advancements in sensor technology and algorithms, but further enhancements are necessary for AEB systems to meet future safety standards. The findings highlight a positive direction in AEB development but indicate that more work is needed to safeguard drivers adequately at higher speeds.