Collision Mitigation and Smart Braking

Collision Mitigation is one of the many names that companies and institutions have given the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) designed to lessen the severity or likelihood of accidents. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, these systems employ sensors, cameras, and sometimes radars to foresee possible collisions and take protective actions. Most importantly, is the automatic application of your brakes.

Importantly, a recent comprehensive study of over 98 million vehicles and 168 models found impressive real-world benefits from Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems. Specifically, “a 49% reduction in front-to-rear crashes for vehicles equipped with AEB across all vehicle segments and model years. Further, the study measured a statistically significant improvement in the reduction of rear-end crashes, from 46% across model years 2015–2017 to 52% across model years 2021–2023, indicating that advancements in AEB over time have yielded tangible benefits.”

Smart braking systems use a combination of sensors and cameras to monitor vehicles or obstacles ahead. When a hazard is detected, and the driver does not respond timely, the system automatically applies the brakes, reducing the risk of collision or impact severity.

However, it is not flawless and there are factors that influence its effectiveness. A key example is that the same study we mentioned earlier on this page also found that “for every 1,000-pound decrease in vehicle weight, the study measured an approximate 4% reduction in front-to rear crashes for vehicles equipped with AEB”