THE Transport Accident Commission has launched a new campaign urging drivers to consider buying cars with automatic braking technology.
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TAC statistics show rear-end crashes account for about 16 per cent of all injury crashes in Victoria.
However Auto Emergency Braking - or AEB - has the potential to significantly reduce the number and severity of rear-end collisions.
The system automatically applies the brakes when it detects a crash is imminent.
Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the system was standard on more than 50 car models available in Victoria.
"The new TAC campaign aims to drive consumer demand for the technology in the same way earlier campaigns drove a sharp increase in the uptake of safety features such as curtain airbags and electronic stability control," he said.
"As part of the Road Safety Strategy, the TAC campaign encourages Victorians to visit howsafeisyourcar.com.au and consider buying a vehicle featuring technology that can save lives, and AEB is just one of these features that car buyers should consider."
Mr Rich-Phillips said the AEB system typically used sensors, radar, laser or cameras to scan the road ahead for risks and detect potential collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or hazards.
"Most AEB systems will provide an initial warning to the driver when it senses a crash and, if the driver does not respond, AEB will intervene and apply braking," he said.
"This technology could significantly reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes or reduce impact speeds.
"Based on past experiences, the TAC's campaign to highlight the life-saving potential of AEB is expected to result in a sharp rise in demand for this technology and it is anticipated that demand will in time lead to a situation where AEB becomes a standard feature on almost every vehicle on the market."
AEB systems fall into three main categories, with some vehicles featuring a combination of systems: low-speed systems; higher speed systems; and pedestrian systems.
A list of cars with emergency braking technology is available at http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/Safety-Features/Safety-Features-List/AEB-Auto-Emergency-Braking/AEB-listing/.
