Older models beware, autonomous emergency braking, or AEB will be mandated as standard equipment on all new cars old in Australia from 2025. Just like seatbelts, airbags and most recently, electronic stability control (ESC), the life saving tech will be needed to allow a car to be sold locally.
AEB works by using a radar or camera to detect obstacles in front of a moving vehicle, applying the brakes automatically to prevent, or at least lessen the severity of an impact with an obstacle. The Australian Design Rules (ADR) specify what safety standards a new vehicle has to meet locally. After years of consultation with the local automotive industry, AEB must be standard on all newly introduced makes and models from March 2023 and on all new cars on the marker from March 2025.
Some AEB systems are also able to detect pedestrians, helping mitigate any collisions. Such systems will be mandatory on all newly launched models from August 2024 and on all new vehicles from August 2026.
The ADR rules apply most new vehicles in Australia, as they apply to “light vehicles”. Passenger cars, evermore popular SUVs, utes and vans all fall into this category. In fact, any vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tonnes fully loaded will need to obey the amended AEB rules.
ANCAP says that around 75% of all new vehicles sold locally already come with AEB, meaning these cars are already safe should the rules come into effect tomorrow. There are however a number of new vehicles without AEB as standard. These vehicles will either need to be updated, or be culled entirely when 2025 rolls around.
ANCAP has long touted the benefits of AEB, and has welcomed the announcement. “Today’s announcement by the Australian Government to mandate autonomous emergency braking is a welcome step in closing the gap to ensure all new vehicles are equipped with this life-saving technology,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.
AEB is said to reduce can reduce vehicle occupant trauma by as much as 28 per cent and rear-end crashes by 40 per cent. ANCAP estimates the mandate will save 580 lives and avoid 20,400 serious and 73,340 minor injuries.
As long advocates of AEB here at DiscoverAuto, we welcome this news and say the more, the merrier. Find your next car with our expert reviews, and see whether AEB is included in the next car you want to purchase.
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