IIHS Applauds AEB Rule But Not Thrilled With Delayed Timeline

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The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has issued a regulation mandating automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on all new passenger vehicles by September 2029. While this regulation marks an important step towards enhanced road safety, the timeline set forth for compliance has been met with criticism. David Harkey, President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS-HLDI), expressed mixed feelings about the timeline’s practicality.

Key Highlights

• Mandatory AEB Systems: All new passenger vehicles to include advanced AEB systems by 2029.
• Comprehensive Detection: AEB systems required to function at high speeds and detect pedestrians under varying conditions, including darkness.
• Extended Compliance Period: Manufacturers granted a five-year period to meet these new requirements, a timeline that IIHS believes could be shortened.
• Additional Safety Measures: IIHS aims to enhance AEB systems to recognize motorcycles, heavy trucks, and bicycles, potentially saving an additional 1,000 lives annually.
• Legislative Background: This regulation stems from a congressional mandate included in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

See also: NHTSA Enacts AEB Safety Standard for 2029

“We applaud the new regulation, which will ensure that all passenger vehicles come with robust AEB systems that can operate at high speeds and detect pedestrians in both daylight and dark conditions. That’s something we specifically asked NHTSA to require after our research showed that existing pedestrian AEB systems weren’t performing well in the dark,” Harkey commented on the decision.

Harkey also noted, “However, we are disappointed that NHTSA has given the industry five years from now to meet the new requirement, as we believe it would be feasible for manufacturers to comply far sooner. In the interim, IIHS will continue working to ensure these systems recognize motorcycles, heavy trucks and bicycles in addition to passenger vehicles and pedestrians, which could save an additional 1,000 lives each year.”

This new regulation aims to significantly reduce vehicle collisions and enhance pedestrian safety. However, the debate over the compliance timeline suggests a continuous dialogue between safety regulators and vehicle manufacturers is necessary to ensure timely and effective implementation of these life-saving technologies.