U.S. Sets 2029 Deadline for Mandatory Automatic Emergency Braking in New Cars

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a significant update to vehicle safety standards, mandating that all new passenger cars and light trucks come equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems by September 2029. This initiative, part of the National Roadway Safety Strategy, aims to drastically reduce the number of rear-end and pedestrian accidents, which are a considerable source of fatalities and injuries on American roads.

NHTSA estimates that the new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, FMVSS No. 127, will prevent at least 24,000 injuries and save a minimum of 360 lives annually. The technology behind AEB allows vehicles to detect imminent collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians and automatically engage the brakes if the driver fails to act in time. This feature is expected to be particularly effective during both day and night, offering enhanced protection in various lighting conditions.

The implementation of this standard is backed by provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which seeks to establish rigorous performance standards for new vehicle safety technologies. The updated AEB systems are designed to function optimally up to speeds of 62 miles per hour for vehicle detection and 45 mph for pedestrian detection, aiming for substantial reductions in crash-related injuries and deaths.

The push for advanced AEB technology is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to improve roadway safety through the National Roadway Safety Strategy. This strategy promotes a comprehensive approach to traffic safety, integrating safer vehicle designs with improved road infrastructure and speed management to ensure a higher level of protection for all road users.