IIHS: Improved crash prevention systems needed to increase protection for motorcycles and trucks

Most new cars are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to improve safety on the road. Among the various features, front crash prevention systems, such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warnings, play a significant role in reducing collisions and preventing accidents.

However, recent research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) suggests that while these systems are effective in preventing collisions with other vehicles, there is room for improvement in preventing accidents involving large trucks and motorcycles. The study found that front crash prevention systems reduced collisions with medium- and heavy-duty trucks by 38 percent and motorcycles by 41 percent. Additionally, the effectiveness of these systems increased to 53 percent in rear-end crashes involving passenger vehicles.

Jessica Cicchino, VP of Research at IIHS, acknowledged the promising results but emphasized the need for further improvements, stating that the safety benefits could be greater if front crash prevention systems were as effective with big trucks and motorcycles as they are with cars. It is estimated that enhancements to ADAS and front crash prevention systems could prevent as many as 5,500 truck crashes and 500 motorcycle crashes annually.

Both motorcycles and trucks present unique challenges to crash prevention systems. Motorcycles lack the structural protection of cars and are harder to detect, making collisions more likely and more dangerous. On the other hand, large trucks pose a different threat due to their size and weight, making them more hazardous to other vehicles on the road.

In response to these findings, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a mandate for automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection in all new light-duty vehicles. This proposal aims to improve the performance standards of new systems, particularly in high-speed scenarios. Additionally, recent incidents involving Tesla vehicles have underscored the need for enhanced safety measures, as the company’s vehicles have been involved in collisions with large trucks and emergency response vehicles while operating in semi-autonomous driving modes.

As the automotive industry continues to innovate and improve safety technology, further advancements in front crash prevention systems are crucial to reducing collisions and enhancing road safety for all vehicles, including motorcycles and large trucks.