NTSB: Standardization Would Cut Fatal Accidents in Half
Members of the National Transportation Safety Board officially recommended that the federal government require automakers to install new collision prevention technology on all new cars and trucks, a maneuver that administrators say would cut annual fatal accident rates in half.
Collision prevention technology already comes installed in many new vehicles. The features include automatic braking when sensors detect an imminent collision, electronic stability control, adaptive cruise control, and a lane departure warning system.
The recommendation was met with animosity from a coalition of automakers. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers indicated that implementation of technology that would alert a driver of an impending crash would cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per vehicle. Adding a system that brakes automatically in dire situations would cost about $3,500, according to the alliance.
"Automakers see great promise from their driver assist technologies, and we are urging consumers to check them out, but the choice to purchase one or more belongs to consumers," indicated Gloria Bergquist, vice president of the alliance.
Bergquist added that the tumultuous economy has increased automaker concerns regarding affordability, and that the average price of a new vehicle is already well over half the median U.S. income.
Safety advocates, however, believe that the required implementation of the new technology would in fact drive down automobile prices.
"Some of this technology can be done for literally just a few dollars." added board member Robert Sumwalt.
"While it sounds like a lot of items, basically you are taking advantage of the sophisticated electronics in all modern autmobiles," said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group. "Why limit major safety improvements to a few primarily luxury models?"
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