Automatic Emergency Braking Drastically Reduces Rear-End Crashes, Studies Show

The Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) recently launched a collaborative study regarding the effectiveness of automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. AEB already held promise as a premier safety feature among techies, but no formal automatic braking study had tested the system’s real-world benefits. Were vehicles equipped with AEB and front collision warning (FCW) safer than those without these technologies? If so, by how much? El Paso car accident lawyer Michael Gopin answers those questions in detail.

 

Results from Automatic Braking Analyses

The automatic braking study showed that passenger vehicles with driver assistance programs like AEB and FCW decreased rear-end collisions by about 50 percent. Separated by crash type, these are the averages in crash reduction linked to AEB:

• 49 percent reduction in overall crashes
• 42 percent reduction in serious crashes
• 53 percent reduction in injury crashes

AEB was more effective than FCW in preventing rear-end collisions. Compared to the 53 percent decrease in crash injuries for cars with AEB, vehicles with FCW saw only a 16 percent overall reduction and a 19 percent decrease in injury-causing collisions. 

 

Automatic Emergency Braking in Pickup Trucks

El Paso drivers may be surprised to learn that pickup trucks make up only 20 percent of vehicles on the road nationwide. They are far less likely to be equipped with the latest driver assistance technology. However, those with AEB saw a similar 43 percent reduction in overall crashes and a 42 percent drop in accident-related injuries, according to research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

As a lawyer in El Paso with over 30 years of experience, Michael Gopin maintains that even trucks equipped with AEB can get in collisions. Automated driving assistance cannot overcome the effects of human negligence.

 

The Science Behind AEB Studies

The 2022 comprehensive AEB study used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and reports from U.S. automakers represented by the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS). The AEB study involved:

• 47 million cars, including 93 different models, supplied by PARTS
• 12 million crash reports involving 21.7 million vehicles in 13 states from NHTSA
• Third-party analysis linking NHTSA’s crash reports to PARTS’ vehicles

The study analyzed over 2.4 million vehicles involved in crashes, including compact, midsize, and SUVs. In all vehicles, AEB stood out as a useful feature that helped drivers avoid collisions, especially in less-than-ideal driving conditions caused by bad weather, poor lighting, or uneven roads.

The issue now is whether other vehicles should adopt AEB as a standard safety feature.

 

How Michael Gopin Can Help

El Paso car accident lawyer Michael Gopin keeps up with these studies because they affect the safety of the roads we all share. Since 1987, the experienced accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Gopin, PLLC have maintained their community focus on recovering fair financial compensation for injured victims. If you were hurt in a collision caused by a negligent driver, contact our office today for a free case evaluation.

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Tailgating Is Illegal and Dangerous

Tailgating causes accidents, many of which could be avoided if drivers simply kept enough distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them. Tailgating is following another vehicle too closely and is dangerous because it can result in rear-end collisions or lead to road rage. Some drivers tailgate because they become frustrated when a car in front of them moves too slowly or cuts them off, or because they are texting, eating, or otherwise distracted. Here, the team at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC explains the tailgating laws in Texas and what you should do if another driver follows you too closely. 

Is Tailgating Illegal in Texas?

Under Transportation Code §545.062, drivers must maintain a clear distance from the vehicle ahead to stop safely without colliding with it or another vehicle. Failing to maintain a safe following distance constitutes a Class C misdemeanor and carries a penalty of a fine of up to $500.

Tailgating Accident Statistics

Tailgating car accidents are common throughout the United States. But how many accidents are caused by tailgating? According to the Texas Department of Insurance, rear-end accidents (many of which are caused by tailgating) account for nearly one-quarter of all auto accidents nationwide. These wrecks lead to an estimated 950,000 injuries and 2,000 deaths each year.

Why Tailgating Leads to Car Accidents

Some drivers may think tailgating is harmless, but they do not understand the real dangers of tailgating. 

Tailgating often leads to accidents because a driver following too closely does not have enough distance to safely stop if traffic ahead suddenly comes to a halt. Furthermore, some drivers do not realize that stopping distance is proportional to the size and weight of a vehicle. For instance, trucks need more stopping distance than passenger cars.

Tailgating can also impair a driver’s perception and reaction time. For example, a driver following too closely may not have time to see a hazard on the road ahead, nor will they have time to physically react to that hazard to avoid a collision. 

What You Should Do If Someone Is Tailgating You

If someone is tailgating you, remain calm and remember the following tips to keep yourself and other road users safe:

• Maintain your current speed rather than attempting to speed up or slow down. Either maneuver could further irritate the tailgating driver and make the situation worse.
• Signal and move to the adjacent right lane as soon as it is safe to let the other driver pass you.
• If no adjacent lane is available, signal and pull off the road where it is safe and allow the other driver to pass you.
• Never tap or slam your brakes to send a message to the other driver. Hitting the brakes, or brake checking, while another car is behind you could cause the other driver to crash into you.
• Stay in the right lane except when passing to reduce the chances of being tailgated by another driver.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney for Help

If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a tailgating driver, contact the car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC today. We can answer your questions and explain your legal options during a free consultation.

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