The U.S. Dept of Transportation’s Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration simply handed a way more aggressive requirement that would considerably enhance a automobile’s means to keep away from accidents.
I’ve owned two electrical vehicles thus far and, sadly, totaled each of them.
The primary was totaled as a result of a tow truck driver secured the automobile improperly when it wanted to be towed again to the vendor. That mistake prompted $100,000 value of harm to a car value about half that a lot.
Within the second accident, the automobile practically killed me after knocking me out. It then accelerated quickly to round 50 mph, hit one other automobile, and continued to speed up right into a rock wall (which was not amused). The accident-avoidance expertise clearly failed or wasn’t enabled on this incident.
Thus, the brand new Division of Transportation (DOT) rule requiring superior security tech on all new vehicles and vans might have saved my automobile and me from breaking my again and doubtlessly saved the lifetime of anybody in the same accident.
This week, I’ll share what occurred in that accident, why we want autonomous driving’s Guardian Angel characteristic, and why this new DOT rule is kind of actually a lifesaver. We’ll shut with my Product of the Week, the primary operational Stage 3 automobile primarily based on Nvidia’s expertise to be offered within the U.S.
My Auto Accident
Two days after being T-boned in what is without doubt one of the most harmful intersections the place I stay, I discovered myself at that intersection after the solar went down. I used to be unable to see cross visitors nicely as a result of it was so darkish. I used to be scared half to dying as vehicles have been backed up round me. My view was blocked by a automobile on the proper from seeing what was approaching from the proper, and I couldn’t inform the space of the autos coming from the left.
Since my close to accident had come from the left, I leaned ahead as I entered the intersection not realizing that within the meantime, a automobile had approached from the proper and blocked my passage (I used to be going straight). After I hit that automobile going round 15 mph, it fired the airbag, which knocked me out; my foot went to the ground, accelerating me into the automobile I hit (electrical vehicles have a ton of torque), which pushed that automobile by way of the intersection and throughout the road.
As I accelerated to round 50, I hit a curb, the automobile practically jumped over a fence, and my again was damaged within the course of. I then rammed a rock wall after the airbag had deflated, totaling the automobile. After I got here to, the police had already arrived, and the EMTs and fireplace vans have been simply pulling up.
I ought to add that so many individuals have had accidents at that intersection that they only made it right into a four-way cease as a result of there have been a number of severe accidents after mine. The enterprise proprietor on the nook had reported his parked autos have been hit commonly in comparable accidents.
The plan is to show that intersection right into a visitors circle finally, however given the shortage of visibility, it ought to have at all times been a 4-way cease.
Electrical Automotive Drawback
In a fuel automobile with out cross-traffic alerting or lively accident avoidance, in case you hit a automobile as I did, the automobile would have stalled even when I’d tried to flooring it, leading to far much less injury and harm. Nevertheless, electrical vehicles generate 100% torque from a cease, and, as I sadly discovered, they cannot solely energy by way of an accident, however they’ll proceed to speed up at supercar speeds afterward.
Had I not hit that rock wall, I might have accelerated to triple digits and warranted my dying once I lastly did hit one thing that may cease the automobile. So, I used to be fortunate I hit that rock wall.
This occasion exemplifies why electrical vehicles want way more strong accident prevention expertise than fuel vehicles, at the least for collisions which may knock the driving force unconscious.
Autonomous Automotive Benefit
The present plan is that autonomous automobile expertise would require a month-to-month charge to allow it (the tech will initially seem in most high-end electrical autos). However in case you don’t need the automobile to drive itself, it’ll additionally include a free characteristic that Toyota as soon as known as Guardian Angel.
Guardian Angel makes use of autonomous automobile tech to forestall doing one thing silly like I did. It would take management of the automobile if it senses you’re doing one thing that would get you injured or killed. This expertise will be certain that the lifesaving and injury-reducing options that autonomous automobile expertise guarantees can be achieved.
Nevertheless, till the DOT ruling, it was unlikely this expertise can be on something however the most costly and unique vehicles, not shifting down market till nearer to or after 2030.
DOT Steps In
Nevertheless, final week, the DOT successfully mandated that the collision prevention advantages from Guardian Angel will quickly be required in all vehicles. This expertise is required in electrical autos to keep away from accidents with vehicles and pedestrians by way of avoidance as much as 62 mph and heavy braking as much as 45 mph.
Whereas this requirement gained’t kick in till 2029 so that individuals can get used to it as an choice and to permit time to enhance the expertise, it’ll begin showing with the approaching wave of autonomous autos by way of the Guardian Angel characteristic within the 2025 mannequin 12 months in vehicles just like the Mercedes highlighted under as my Product of the Week.
This implementation shouldn’t solely pressure Guardian Angel down market to inexpensive vehicles extra shortly but additionally assist guarantee extra individuals are protected than in any other case would have been by 2030.
Wrapping Up
Resulting from my current accident and the associated ache I’ll undergo for the remainder of my life, I used to be extraordinarily on this current ruling by the DOT. This pressured march to higher collision avoidance would have saved my automobile and my again and higher protected my life had it already been in place.
The ruling will make electrical vehicles, which might shrug off accidents that may cease fuel vehicles, an amazing deal safer. It would additionally cut back accidents with different autos and massively cut back the variety of pedestrians killed on roads.
Additionally, hopefully, it’ll forestall me from ever totaling one other automobile. However in the long run, if you wish to preserve your self and your loved ones protected, take into account vehicles with superior accident avoidance as a strategy to guarantee untimely dying earlier than this new DOT mandate takes place.
Good work, DOT!
Mercedes EQS With Stage 3 Autonomous Driving
The Mercedes EQS electrical and gas-powered S-Class are the primary two vehicles accredited for hands-off Stage 3 autonomous driving within the U.S. Presently, they’re solely licensed in California and Nevada, however I anticipate broader certification within the coming months.
I’m specializing in the EQS and never the S-Class as a result of the EQS is electrical, which is the place this expertise, as a security characteristic, can have the best impression, given the difficulty I famous above with electrical vehicles. The expertise, which largely comes from Nvidia (once more showcasing that firm’s management in every part AI) known as Drive Pilot and can embody superior collision avoidance expertise as all autonomous vehicles do.
The EQS is a luxurious car usually costing north of $120,000, nevertheless it’s not a high-performing electrical with a 0 to 60 time of shut to six seconds. It does have 350 miles of vary, although, making it one of many leaders in electrical vary.
Remember that in order for you extra than simply the extra security advantages, Drive Pilot will price you round $2,500 per 12 months. As a Stage 3 system, it’ll solely work hands-free on highways (Stage 4 is cities, and 5 is full human alternative). The EQS has each sedan and SUV configurations, and whereas the design isn’t as sporty as I’d like, it’s nonetheless a really clear and nice-looking car.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in 2024. (Picture Credit score: Mercedes-Benz USA)
Mercedes is already often known as one of many most secure manufacturers within the Midsized Luxurious Automotive market, and the EQS, with this superior self-driving expertise, ought to be one among its most secure. By the way in which, they make AMG and Maybach variations of this automobile, so you may have increased efficiency and much more luxurious selections, however the worth shortly will get nearer to $200,000 and is probably going approach too costly for many.
Ultimately, nobody needs to be in an accident, and all of us need to preserve our households and pets protected. With Drive Pilot, the Mercedes EQS ought to be the most secure electrical automobile on the highway in 2024 and is now my Product of the Week.
