NHTSA Delays Automatic Emergency Braking Rule Amid Industry Concerns and Legal Challenges

The NHTSA is reevaluating a regulation requiring automatic emergency braking in new vehicles by 2029, amid legal challenges from automakers citing impracticality.

Last Friday, a prominent U.S. auto safety agency signaled a shift in its approach to a key regulation that came into play during former President Joe Biden’s time in office.

This regulation requires nearly every new car and truck to incorporate advanced automatic emergency braking systems by 2029.

Delay in Enforcement Deadline

In light of the current administration’s review of this mandate, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided to delay the enforcement deadline to March 20.

Recently, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a group representing major manufacturers like General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen, took legal action against this regulation.

They argue that the requirements are nearly impossible to meet with the current state of technology.

The alliance has urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to strike down the rule, notably criticizing the demand that vehicles autonomously stop and avert collisions at speeds up to 62 miles per hour as unrealistic.

Their previous requests for NHTSA to revisit the regulation had fallen on deaf ears.

Potential Impact on Safety

This regulation stands as one of the most ambitious safety initiatives in U.S. automotive history.

The NHTSA predicts that, if enacted, it could save at least 360 lives annually and reduce injuries by over 24,000—a pressing issue given the rise in traffic fatalities seen during the pandemic.

John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance, voiced his concerns in a letter directed to President Trump, urging a fresh look at the regulation.

He described the rule as fundamentally flawed, lacking both scientific support and sound reasoning and labeled it a misguided decision.

Background on Automatic Emergency Braking

In 2021, Congress passed legislation that tasked NHTSA with creating minimum performance standards for automatic emergency braking systems.

These systems use an array of sensors, such as cameras and radar, to detect potential collisions and can automatically apply the brakes if drivers do not react in time.

Back in 2016, a voluntary commitment was made by 20 automakers to standardize automatic emergency braking in nearly all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2022.

By the close of 2023, all 20 manufacturers had successfully equipped at least 95% of their vehicles with these systems.

However, opponents argue that without government oversight, there is no guarantee regarding their effectiveness.

In May 2023, NHTSA proposed an ambitious three-year timeline for compliance with the new standards.

However, the adjusted timeline now extends this period to five years for manufacturers to meet the regulations.

Source: Insurancejournal