An IIHS study found that automatic braking systems in GM vehicles have reduced front to rear-end crashes caused GM cars by 43%. This is significant when you consider the number of people that are injured in rear-end collisions.
This innovative safety system is just one of many developments that car manufacturers have added to modern cars. This guide will explain what an automatic braking system is and how it works to keep you and your vehicle safe.
What Is an Automatic Braking System?
This is an active safety system that’s built into your vehicle. It applies the car’s brakes when an obstacle in front of the vehicle creates a collision potential. Since the system is automatic, the driver doesn’t need to do anything for it to activate.
The system can either apply the brakes for the driver or increase the application of the brakes if the driver isn’t braking hard enough.
How Does an Automatic Braking System Work?
For some vehicles, there are radar sensors mounted into the front of the vehicle. They could be in the air vents, on the bumper, or hidden in the front grille. Other vehicles use a camera system, with the cameras mounted in the windshield behind the rearview mirror.
Some high-end vehicles will use both technologies. No matter what your vehicle uses, the data gathered gets filtered through software that calculates the risk of collision.
If certain data points are met, the software will trigger the activation of your car’s automatic braking system. Then a vacuum pump can generate the power necessary to apply the brakes.
Detecting Pedestrians
Not all systems will detect people. Some have slightly more advanced technology and can alert you to a pedestrian, but not brake for them. The most advanced vehicles will detect and brake for adults, children, and other vehicles.
As technology develops and more car manufacturers use it, you’ll find more and more cars with the most advanced version of the system. Make sure you know and understand what and how your system detects potential collisions.
Potential Problems With Automatic Emergency Braking
The biggest problem with this type of system is a miscalculation. If the system produces a false positive, then the vehicle could slam on the brakes for no reason. This results in unnecessary panic and an increased chance of the car behind you rear-ending you.
The other risk is that the system doesn’t detect a potential impact and fails to apply the brakes. This could result in the vehicle making an impact with something in front of you.
Another risk to consider is that it can encourage complacency in drivers. If you know your car will automatically brake for you, then you may not pay as close attention when driving.
Look for a Vehicle With an Emergency Automatic Braking System
If you’re looking to buy a new vehicle, then consider adding an automatic braking system to your must-haves list. This advanced technology could give you a second set of “eyes” on the road and potentially save both you and your passengers.
Browse our other car articles for more explanations on how your car’s components and systems work.
