The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized a new safety standard that requires automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, to be standard on all passenger cars and light-duty trucks by September 2029. 

This new standard is expected to significantly reduce rear-end and pedestrian crashes, saving at least 360 lives a year and preventing at least 24,000 injuries annually.

“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.”  

The AEB systems, a key component of this standard, utilize advanced sensors to identify potential collisions. If the driver fails to respond, the system automatically applies the brakes. This technology is designed to be effective at higher speeds and to detect pedestrians in all lighting conditions. 

This standard is a significant step towards fulfilling a provision in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and advancing the National Roadway Safety Strategy, with the ultimate goal of addressing the national crisis in traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

This final rule applies to nearly all U.S. light vehicles (gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less). A Final Regulatory Impact Analysis that presents the benefits and costs associated with the standard is included in the Final Rule.