General Motors (GM) announced today that it will be equipping all its 2023 and newer electric vehicles (EVs) with five active safety features as standard. The move is part of the automaker’s commitment to vehicle safety and surpassing regulatory requirements. Additionally, GM stated that it will exceed its goal of incorporating Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) in 95 percent of its vehicles, with 98 percent of its 2023 models, including all EVs, already equipped with this feature. The announcement comes in response to the recent mandate by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which requires all new passenger cars and light trucks to include AEB within three years.
Alongside AEB, GM will include four other advanced safety features as standard in most of its 2023 model-year vehicles. These features consist of Forward Collision Alert, which warns drivers of potential front-facing collisions, Front Pedestrian Braking, which detects and alerts drivers to oncoming pedestrians and applies automatic braking if necessary, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, which prevents drifting out of lanes and provides warnings, and IntelliBeam, an automatic high-beam headlight control system. GM views these technologies as crucial steps towards achieving its vision of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion, as stated by John Capp, GM’s director of Vehicle Safety Technology, Strategy, and Regulations.
GM’s decision to implement these safety features is informed by extensive research data. The automaker highlights a 2023 study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), revealing that the combination of AEB and Forward Collision Alert resulted in a 42 percent reduction in rear-end crashes. The same research found that Front Pedestrian Braking reduced head-on pedestrian collisions by 23 percent, while Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning reduced roadway departure accidents by 15 percent. GM also cites a separate 2022 UMTRI study demonstrating that IntelliBeam reduced nighttime crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and animals by 22 percent.
Furthermore, GM is enhancing the front sensors in select models, including the Cadillac Lyriq, 2023 Chevy Colorado, and GMC Canyon. These upgraded sensors offer a wider field of vision and extend AEB functionality to speeds of up to 80 mph. Additionally, the sensors enable the inclusion of Bicyclist Automatic Emergency Braking to Front Pedestrian Braking, a valuable feature for urban environments with frequent cyclist presence. The enhanced sensors also facilitate smoother engagement of Lane Keep Assist and introduce Blind Zone Steering Assist, which aids in avoiding lane-change collisions. GM plans to introduce these upgraded sensors and features to other models in the future.
GM’s commitment to integrating advanced safety technologies as standard equipment underscores its dedication to enhancing vehicle safety and reducing accidents. By embracing research-driven solutions, the automaker aims to make significant strides towards its vision of a future with zero crashes and a safer driving experience for all.
