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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.
42 YEARS
Vol. 42 / Issue 6 / June 2024 REGIONAL NEWS
CIF Extends Lifeline to Shops Ravaged by Spring Storms, Everyday Catastrophes By Leona Scott Autobody News
Jessica Stegner, vice president of the Oklahoma Autobody Association (OKABA), remembers when a body technician from Guthrie, OK, suffered a life-altering accident several years ago. The incident disrupted his ability to work, forcing him to seek support from his family. Stegner reflected on the missed opportunity to connect him with the Collision Industry Foundation’s (CIF) relief assistance program, which could have provided much-needed aid during his hardship. Despite the challenges, the technician persevered, carving out a successful career as a collision repair instructor.
“I was just made aware of this amazing relief fund from the Collision Industry Foundation a few weeks ago,” Stegner said. “I was so excited to hear about it that I put it on the front page of our website (okaba.org) immediately. This financial assistance can make a life-changing difference for shop owners, employees and their families. We at OKABA are so pleased to be able to help shops in Oklahoma by providing them with information about this valuable resource.” When Stegner hears about those in the collision industry repair community affected by natural disasters or even personal tragedies, she knows she has a dependable resource in CIF to provide those l CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
REGIONAL NEWS
Ford Ordered to Pay Colorado Springs Woman $45 Million in Civil Lawsuit 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
A federal jury in Colorado Springs, CO, on April 17 awarded Lorelle Thompson $45 million in punitive damages in a personal injury lawsuit against Ford Motor Company, according to FOX 21. The verdict was the highest in Colorado Springs history, surpassing the previous record of $33 million set in 2019. The case stemmed from an incident on Dec. 27, 2016, involving a 1998 Ford Expedition. Thompson
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 18
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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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