Modern automatic emergency braking systems are light years away

All 2024 models can avoid a collision at 35 mph, while older models have a 67 percent chance of crashing

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems were introduced more than two decades ago, but new testing shows that modern systems are far more capable than their predecessors. This means a few years of model life could be the difference between a crash and a near-accident.

The results speak for themselves, with every 2024 model tested by AAA successfully avoiding collisions at speeds up to 35 mph (56 km/h). For 2017 and 2018 models, the success rate was far less impressive at 51 percent.

More: Automatic braking will be mandatory on all new cars in the U.S. by 2029

As part of the testing, AAA put the 2017 car under simulated emergency braking conditions at 12 mph (19 km/h), 25 mph (40 km/h), and 25 mph (40 km/h). The Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2018 Nissan Rogue and 2018 Subaru Outback were compared to similar 2024 models. 35 mph (56 km/h). The results are very telling, as the old model only avoided 73% of collisions at 12 mph (19 km/h). At 25 mph (40 km/h) the rate drops to 47% and at 35 mph (56 km/h) it drops to a dismal 33%.

Since all new car models are able to successfully avoid collisions at speeds of 35 mph (56 km/h), and data shows that most of the miles driven are done at higher speeds, researchers pushed the limits to see Let’s see what the AEB system is truly capable of. “Three out of four vehicles” are able to avoid a collision at 45 mph (72 km/h), so vehicles that pass undergo the same test at 55 mph (89 km/h) . However, at these speeds, no one can avoid a crash.

Tests have shown that modern automatic emergency braking systems are far more capable thanks to advanced cameras and sensors. Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering research, said the advances are “laudable,” but “there’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure systems operate at higher speeds.”

However, automakers will soon have to address the issue, as the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized a new federal motor vehicle safety standard in April that will require all passenger cars by September 2029. Install automatic emergency braking systems on cars and light trucks. These systems need to be able to operate at speeds up to 62 mph (100 km/h) and detect pedestrians in both day and darkness.

When the rule goes into effect, it could have a huge impact on safety. The government estimates the change could save at least 360 lives a year and prevent at least 24,000 injuries a year.