According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one third of all crashes recorded in the U.S. in 2013 were rear-end collisions. Because of this, as this blog reported recently, NHTSA has added two automatic braking features to its list of recommendations for the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). These features can alert drivers when a crash is imminent or even apply the brakes automatically.
In an effort to reduce the risk of these collisions, Chevrolet has recently announced the addition of automatic braking to several of its 2015 models. The new Equinox, Malibu, Silverado and Traverse will be equipped with Forward Collision Alert to warn drivers when they get too close to the car in front of them. The Impala, Suburban and Tahoe will feature Front Automatic Braking in case the driver does not react to the initial alert.
The systems use a camera or radar to detect an imminent crash, and warn the driver with a flashing light and accompanying sound or, in some models, a pulsing of the driver's seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that automatic braking could prevent 879 fatal crashes every year.
"Many of us have been in driving situations where the car ahead of us suddenly slows — or we momentarily look away at the wrong time — and we have to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision," said General Motors safety expert Raymond J. Kiefer. "Front Automatic Braking provides a layer of driver assistance beyond Forward Collision Alert systems to help prevent this common crash situation."
GM has recognized Greening as an official provider of brake test services, helping to ensure the integrity of vehicle components through expert performance assessment.