This simple braking feature could prevent up to 350 deaths and serious injuries each year
Almost 2,500 collisions involving van drivers could have been avoided if manufacturers included autonomous emergency braking technology as standard, according to research
FITTING autonomous emergency brakes (AEB) as standard on all UK commercial vehicles could prevent almost 350 serious casualties or deaths on our roads each year.
Recent analysis of traffic collision stats revealed a whopping 2,496 incidents involving vans over 3.5 tonnes could have been avoided had they been fitted with the safety tech.
Assessing the most recent figures from the Department for Transport, Thatcham Research found 348 deaths and serious injuries over a 12 month period could have been prevented if the vehicles involved were fitted with AEB systems.
And researchers claim the safety tech could save as many as 1,000 lives and prevent 120,000 casualties over the next 10 years - potentially reducing accident rates by 38 per cent.
But despite the benefits of the technology, manufacturers don't include autonomous braking as standard issue.
Volkswagen is currently the only brand to offer AEB as a standard feature in all of its commercial vehicles.
How autonomous emergency braking works
Volkwagen's AEB system includes front assist as well a feature for high-congestion areas:
- Using a radar built into the front end of the van, the front assist feature can sense when a vehcile in front is getting too close.
- It will first warn the driver with sounds and signals in the cabin, and get the vehicle ready for emergency braking – by starting to apply the brake pads and alerting the brake assistant.
- If the driver fails to react to the warning, the car will apply a one-off short jolt of the brake to warn of the danger of a collision.
- If the driver then hits the brakes, full braking power is immediately available.
- But if the driver does not brake strongly enough, the car automatically increases the braking pressure to the required level to avoid a collision.
- The City Emergency Braking function provides assistance at speeds under 18mph.
- If the driver fails to react to an obstacle, the system automatically applies the brakes and ensures that the speed of any collision is reduced.
The German automaker has included its Front Assist with City Emergency Braking as standard in Caddy, Transport and Crafter models since June last year.
And AEB systems could also help to reduce insurance costs for commercial drivers, by reducing the number of third-party claims by as much as 45 per cent.
Matthew Avery, Director of Research, Thatcham Research comments: “To date, Volkswagen is the only commercial vehicle maker offering AEB as standard across its entire van range.
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"With the number of accidents involving vans increasing year on year, AEB’s proven ability to avoid and mitigate collisions should not be overlooked.”
Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “We are proud to be leading the way with AEB standard across our van range.
“Autonomous emergency braking systems mean safer vehicles, fewer accidents and therefore reduced downtime and lower costs for fleets – as well as the potential to save lives."