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Automatic Emergency Braking to Be Standard on All New Vehicles by 2029 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 29 announced it has finalized a new rule that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029, in a bid to significantly reduce rear-end and pedestrian crashes. NHTSA projects the new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard will save at least 360 lives a year and prevent at least 24,000 injuries annually.
contact with a vehicle in front of them up to 62 mph, and that the systems must detect pedestrians in both daylight and darkness. In addition, the standard requires the system apply the brakes automatically up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, and up to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected. This final rule applies to vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or less, which includes nearly all U.S. light vehicles.
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Vol. 15 / Issue 3 / June 2024
REGIONAL NEWS
Maryland Gets Insurance Payout for Bridge Collapse, Releases Estimate on Rebuilding On May 6, Maryland officials unveiled plans to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge, aiming to complete the project by the fall of 2028 at an estimated cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. Maryland will receive a $350 million insurance payment from Chubb following the collapse of the bridge on March 26, though that will only cover a small percentage of the billions expected to be needed to rebuild. CNN Business reported the insurance payout via WTW, the broker handling Maryland’s policy. Henry Daar, head of property claims at WTW North America, confirmed to the news outlet the $350 million payout represents the policy’s
maximum coverage, and it will be made soon, rather than waiting for the new bridge’s construction to begin, which could still be years from commencement. The City of Baltimore has initiated legal action against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine PTE LTD, the ship’s owner and manager, respectively, accusing them of negligence due to an “incompetent crew,” after the Singaporean-flagged container vessel, Dali, crashed into a bridge support column. The cause of the collision has not been officially determined. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected soon. l CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
REGIONAL NEWS
Fred Beans Acquires 4 Dealerships, Collision Center in Abington, PA AEB systems use sensors to detect when a vehicle is close to crashing into a vehicle or pedestrian in front and automatically applies the brakes if the driver has not. Pedestrian AEB technology will detect a pedestrian in both daylight and in darker conditions at night. The NHTSA said the new standard will significantly reduce injury or property damage and associated costs from these crashes. The new standard requires all cars be able to stop and avoid
The vast majority of light vehicles sold in the U.S. already come equipped with the feature. In December 2023, it was announced 20 automakers had fulfilled a voluntary pledge they signed in 2016 to equip nearly all the light vehicles they produce for the U.S. market with AEB. The list included Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM and Stellantis. That pledge had been brokered by the NHTSA and the
Fred Beans Automotive Group announced April 23 the recent acquisition of four dealerships and a collision center from Rosenthal Automotive, part of its initiative to broaden its operational scope and enhance customer service. Abington Collision Center, Acura of Abington, Honda of Abington, Hyundai of Abington and Mazda of Abington now bear the Fred Beans name. The Abington Collision Center,
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 20
16
Columnist Mike Anderson: Battery Reconnects Lead Police to Visit Shop 3 Times Until Solution Found Columnist Abby Andrews: Car Insurance, Repair Cost Increases Far
Outpace Overall Rate
4
Columnist Stacey Phillips Ronak: Talent Acquisition Program Leaders
8
Columnist John Yoswick: Associations Working to Enact State Laws
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