Major auto makers will announce Thursday they have agreed to install automatic emergency-braking systems in almost all USA vehicles by September, 2022, three sources briefed on the plans said.
Advertisement
The deal, reported before the official announcement by Reuters, will make some exceptions for some cars with older electronic systems and manual transmissions.
At a press conference at a federal highway facility in McLean, Virginia, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hailed the voluntary commitment by 20 automakers representing more than 99 percent of U.S. vehicle sales.
The systems use a laser, radar or camera to anticipate a frontal crash and then automatic emergency braking kicks in as the vehicle approaches an object without the driver even touching the pedal.
Mr. Rosekind has said it could take at least eight years to get legally binding rules in place. Others doing so include luxury vehicle manufacturers BMW AG, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen’s Audi, the person said. They are already available as an option on many models. If the driver does not react to avoid the impact, the system will apply emergency braking.
It seems that automatic braking will soon join airbags and seat belts as mandatory equipment in in USA sold cars. “The systems must also include a forward collision warning system that meets NHTSA standards”.
However, safety advocates have still filed a pension asking the government to issue mandatory regulations, saying these voluntary agreements are not enforceable.
Advertisement
Consumer Reports is now handing out extra rating points to those vehicles that have the safety technology. The latest entry-level Honda Civic running around $20,000, for instance, now makes available features including lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control that changes speeds based on traffic patterns and automatic brakes.
