Feds to require automatic emergency braking on all cars and light trucks by 2029

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a rule to require automatic emergency braking (AEB) on all cars and light trucks by 2029.

On April 29, 2024, the NHTSA finalized a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to make AEB  standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029.

“The new standard requires all cars be able to stop and avoid contact with a vehicle in front of them up to 62 miles per hour and that the systems must detect pedestrians in both daylight and darkness. In addition, the standard requires that the system apply the brakes automatically up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, and up to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected,” the agency said.

Officials say that the AEB requirement will reduce rear-end collisions and pedestrian crashes, saving at least 360 lives per year.

“The new vehicle safety standards we finalized today will save hundreds of lives and prevent tens of thousands of injuries every year,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not only making historic investments in transportation, it’s also ushering in a new era of safer travel by ensuring new cars and light trucks are equipped with automatic emergency braking, making our roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.”   

“Automatic emergency braking is proven to save lives and reduce serious injuries from frontal crashes, and this technology is now mature enough to require it in all new cars and light trucks. In fact, this technology is now so advanced that we’re requiring these systems to be even more effective at higher speeds and to detect pedestrians,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. “Most new vehicles already come with AEB, and we expect that many cars and light trucks will be able to meet this standard ahead of the deadline, meaning even more lives will be saved thanks to this technology.” 

The NHTSA said that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is in the process of finalizing a similar rule to require AEB systems on heavy duty trucks.