More new vehicles get effective forward-crash prevention systems - Los Angeles Times
More cars are coming equipped with robotic functions that protect drivers from front-end crashes with other vehicles or objects, which could result in fewer crashes and lower insurance rates for drivers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said 52% of the 784 new vehicle models come with technology that alerts a driver to a pending crash as either a standard or optional feature. Among 2015 models, 27% also offer robotic braking, which automatically slows or stops the vehicle without driver intervention if a crash is imminent. Front-crash prevention systems use cameras, radar and laser sensors to judge whether a vehicle is getting too close to one in front of it. Most systems issue a warning and precharge the brakes to maximize their effect if the driver responds by... Automatic braking systems slash front-end crashes by 14% over the same vehicles that don’t offer the feature, according to the institute’s research. Vehicles that only alert drivers to a potential crash, but don’t stop the car, cut collisions by 7%. While the trade group has not measured the technology's effect on insurance premiums, it believes fewer crashes will soon be reflected in lower... Source: www.latimes.com
