US authorities have proposed a new rule that would require car manufacturers to install automatic emergency braking systems in new vehicles. The proposal aims to reduce roadway deaths by mandating that the technology can kick in for passenger cars and light trucks, preventing a crash at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour if the driver uses the manual brake as well. If the driver fails to brake, it would avoid crashes at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
While many new vehicles already include such braking systems, manufacturers will have four years from the date the new rule is finalised to ensure they meet the requirements. If the vehicle is going faster than 62 miles per hour, the system would activate but may not be enough to avoid a crash.
According to a statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 40,000 people die each year in motor vehicle crashes, and the rule is expected to save at least 360 lives annually. The proposed mandate is performance-based, so manufacturers are not required to use particular technologies to ensure compliance.
Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said the mandate is “urgently needed” as there has been an epidemic of roadway fatalities on US roads. The cost for automakers to comply with the new rule is estimated at $286m annually, according to the NHTSA.
Overall, the new rule marks a significant step in enhancing vehicle safety, ensuring passengers are adequately protected from the dangerous consequences of road accidents.