How does AEB help prevent accidents?

1. What is Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)?

Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) is a safety system that can prevent a rear-end accident or reduce the speed of the collision. The AEB system is considered a new step forward in ensuring safety similar to the equipment of airbags and seat belts. However, the purpose of AEB is not only to protect people in the car but also to prevent accidents from happening, avoiding negative impacts on traffic participants.

2. Functions of AEB

Specifically, AEB can warn the driver of an impending collision and help the driver brake with maximum force. In addition, AEB can also automatically brake the car independently in critical situations.

It is important to remember that AEB is designed to assist drivers in emergency situations only and the driver is always responsible if an accident occurs.

3. Types of AEB

AEB systems use radar, laser or camera sensors to monitor risks and detect potential collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or hazards.

Although AEB comes in many varieties, most provide warnings (either audible, visual, or steering wheel vibration) or all three. AEB will automatically brake if the driver fails to respond to the warning. Some systems can also pre-tension seat belts to minimize injury to passengers. Some AEB systems will automatically shut off if they detect the driver swerving to change direction.

AEB systems can be divided into three main types:

- Low speed system:This version is aimed at urban driving, where collisions often occur at low speeds but can cause spinal and cervical injuries that can be fatal. Typically, this type can react to other cars but is insensitive to pedestrians and other vehicles. Depending on the version, the radar can scan 8 to 10 meters in front of the car and can prevent collisions at speeds of 30 to 50 km/h.

- High speed system:This version typically uses long-range radar that can detect other vehicles up to 200 meters ahead at speeds of 80 km/h.

- Pedestrian collision avoidance system:This version uses a camera combined with radar to detect pedestrians through the shape and characteristics of the pedestrian. By calculating the speed, the car will determine if there is a danger.

The three types of systems are not mutually exclusive, with some AEB systems only being able to prevent low-speed collisions, while others combine all three, preventing low-speed, high-speed and pedestrian collisions. It is important to note that each system type varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from vehicle model to vehicle in terms of warning functions, braking, activation distances, etc.

4. Why does your car need AEB?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), automatic emergency braking technology could prevent 20% of crashes. There are 5 million crashes in the US each year. That means 1 million crashes a year would be prevented if all cars had this equipment.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 1,705 people died and 547,000 were injured in rear-end crashes in 2012. If every vehicle had automatic emergency braking technology, 87 percent of those deaths and injuries could have been prevented or mitigated.

A 2013 Australian government study also found that AEB could prevent 35% of rear-end collisions and mitigate 53% of collisions.