Becoming Rolling Safety Computers
As newer cars come with smarter features as standard, it can sometimes feel like automakers are forcing extra tech onto buyers. One of those is advanced driver-assistance systems, though General Motors argues that the technology can significantly reduce crashes and injuries – and it backed the claim with data.
In a study conducted with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), GM found that advanced driver-assistance systems helped reduce certain crash types by as much as 86%. That is a significant figure, especially since crashes not only cause injuries but can also become expensive and time-consuming headaches involving insurance claims, police reports, and repair work.
Buick
The Numbers Behind The Safety Claims
The 86% reduction applies specifically to backing crashes. GM also found a 57% drop in rear-end crashes with injuries and a 35% reduction in front pedestrian crashes with injuries. Lane-assist features were linked to a 15% decrease in road-departure crashes and a 13% drop in lane-change crashes. These reductions were tied to features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Lane Change Alert.
These findings were based on roughly 700,000 police-reported crashes matched with approximately 12 million GM vehicles from the 2020 to 2024 model years across 18 states.
But perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from the study is that buyers do not need to spend a fortune to benefit from these crash-reducing features. Models under $30,000 – including the Buick Encore GX and Envista, as well as the Chevrolet Trax, Trailblazer, and Bolt – come standard with Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and IntelliBeam.
Cole Attisha
GM Bets On Smarter Safety
Meanwhile, other GM models are available with Super Cruise, the company’s hands-free driving system. What some may appreciate is that the feature is subscription-based, meaning buyers who prefer taking the wheel themselves do not have to keep paying for the service after the trial period.
In the future, advanced driver-assist technologies will likely become even more sophisticated as the IIHS tightens its crash-avoidance system requirements. That could push automakers to allocate more resources toward improving these systems to qualify for Top Safety Pick+ honors. How that affects pricing remains to be seen, though GM’s study makes a stronger case that the added safety could be worth the cost.
Chase Bierenkoven
