Modern cars come with a full suite of safety technology which was unavailable twenty years ago. One such technology is automatic braking. While this addition certainly gives motorists peace of mind, we have to ask if it actually prevents auto collisions.
How Automatic Braking Works
Auto manufacturers introduced the first automatic braking systems in 2006. Most systems use sensors that detect when the vehicle is in dangerously close proximity to another car or object. If the driver fails to react, the brakes automatically engage. Other systems initiate an alarm that audibly warns you when you drive too close to another vehicle.
What the Study Shows
A three-year study from Virginia Tech revealed some eye-opening information regarding vehicle collisions. The findings show that 75% of collisions were due to driver error. Of those, 68% were due, in part, to driver distraction.
A separate study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that automatic full-braking systems curbed rear-end collisions by 40%. Vehicles equipped with audible attention warning systems had 23% fewer collisions. Researchers speculated that collisions nationwide would drop by about 13% if all vehicles had some automatic braking system in place.
The Verdict
Automatic braking has our approval, though they’re not a substitute for alert driving. Through years of customer interaction, we’ve learned that the collision claim process can be extremely stressful. This applies even for collisions only resulting in minor auto paint damage. In addition, warranties often don’t cover collisions where you were at fault, which braking systems are designed to prevent. This makes automatic brakes all the more relevant.
Avoid a Preventable Collision in Lynnwood
Absolute Auto Body recommends any technology that improves road safety. If you’re replacing an older vehicle, we suggest a newer model with this technology as standard equipment. Contact us for repairs if a collision occurs.
Automatic Braking Equipment Experts in Lynnwood
Two locations to serve you: Everett and Lynnwood
Posted on August 6, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business