The Biden administration wants automakers to equip their vehicles with improved emergency braking systems. which can reduce accidents and save lives Automakers don't want it. So a lobby group representing some of the biggest names in the auto industry is suing to stop the new rules from taking effect.
Alliance of Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers such as Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Toyota, and Volkswagen, among others.filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in an attempt to overturn new braking rules issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before they take effect in 2029.
So what is this rule that is so intrusive that these companies are unable to comply with it even after waiting four years?
Last year the US Department of Transportation In summary New federal automotive safety standards that will require all light-duty vehicles All passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks must use automatic emergency braking systems that can stop and avoid contact with other vehicles ahead at speeds of up to 62 mph. In addition, the systems should automatically brake for up to 90 miles per vehicle. hours when a collision with the car in front was approaching and brakes up to 45 mph when it detects a pedestrian. The system must be able to detect pedestrians both during the day and at night.
car manufacturer protest When the new rule was proposed and a petition filed in support of it, NHTSA reconsidered the idea that current technology did not meet the agency's standards. (There is already a group of car manufacturers. Trump asked. to reverse the rule as well) NHTSA was basically unhappy with that plea. argument Their goal is to force the industry to develop and use that technology to meet new demands.
For what it's worth, AEB systems are quite effective in reducing accidents. Study from AAA It was found that 2024 models equipped with the current version of the safety feature were able to avoid 100% of frontal collisions when tested at speeds up to 35 mph. NHTSA's own data suggests that AEB-required crashes reach speeds of up to 62 mph. It will save 360 lives per year and prevent more than 24,000 injuries and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute believe This technology may lead to “Significantly higher safety” which will help avoid more accidents
Interestingly, this is the same lobby group that believes the technology needed to help vehicles brake automatically at higher speeds will never be achieved. Push for looser regulations. This will allow for the deployment of more autonomous vehicles on roads across the country. Clearly, innovation comes first and safety comes second.