Page 11 - AAA Now! – AAA Shelby County – January/February 2020

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
Pedestrian Detection Systems May Not Work When You Need Them Most
AAA finds pedestrian detection systems fail at night when the majority of pedestrian deaths occur.
More and more pedestrians are being killed on America’s roads. Luckily, many new cars have technology specifically built in to lessen the
likelihood or severity of a crash – whether with another vehicle or a pedestrian. But AAA’s latest
research found that pedestrian detection systems don’t work in all scenarios, all the time.
AAA recently tested four vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian detection systems to evaluate their performance in a number of simulated driving scenarios.
Not only did the systems perform inconsistently, they were completely ineffective at night. A
surprising result, considering the majority of pedestrian deaths – 75% – occur after dark. The systems were also challenged by a car turning right into the path of an adult or a child darting out from between two parked cars. In these cases, the systems
did not react at all to the adult target in the path of the car turning right and avoided the child target just 1 in 10 times.
AAA regularly conducts research
on emerging vehicle technologies, like
lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, to help educate consumers on the limitations of these systems but also to provide insight to the automotive industry
on how functionality may be improved. “Pedestrian fatalities are on the rise, proving how
important the safety impact of these systems could be when further developed,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. “But, our research found that current systems are far from perfect and still require an engaged driver behind the wheel.”
Until these systems are proven to perform consistently – especially pedestrian detection systems – during the day and at night and in a range of situations, AAA recommends drivers always:
• Be alert of their immediate surroundings. Do not rely on pedestrian detection systems to prevent a crash. This technology should only serve as a backup and not a replacement for an engaged driver.
• Read the owner’s manual to understand what safety systems the vehicle is equipped with
and how those work. Before leaving the lot,
ask the dealer to explain how these systems work, including what safety system alerts sound and look like and what triggers their activation.
• Use extra caution when driving at night since this is the riskiest time for pedestrians and where the systems struggled the most. Previous AAA research found that headlights, even in new condition, do not provide the amount of light needed for drivers to appropriately react to something or someone in the roadway.
It is a driver’s responsibility to yield to pedestrians, but those traveling by foot should be diligent as well. Pedestrians should also use caution by staying on sidewalks and using crosswalks as often as possible. Always obey traffic signals, look both ways before crossing the street and do not walk and text.
SHELBY COUNTY DRIVING SCHOOL
2020 Classroom Schedule
Learn to drive with the leader in driving safety! Classes are taught by state- certified instructors with experience in working with young people.
PRICE FOR CLASSES
(Includes 24 hours of classroom & 8 hours of driving.)
AAA Member Price:
$325.00
SIDNEY CLASSROOM SCHEDULE
Feb. 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 ...........5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. March16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26...........5:00p.m.– 8:00p.m. April20,21,22,23,27,28,29,30..............5:00p.m.– 8:00p.m.
Classroom work held at Shelby County AAA office. A minimum of 10 students required.
VERSAILLES CLASSROOM SCHEDULE
Feb.24,25,26,27,Mar.2,3,4,5...............3:30p.m.– 6:30p.m.
Classroom work held at Versailles High School. A minimum of 10 students required.
MINSTER CLASSROOM SCHEDULE
*Feb.24,25,27,Mar.3,5,9,10,12...........5:30p.m.– 8:30p.m.
Classroom work held at Minster Elementary School. A minimum of 10 students required.
Class dates, times & locations subject to change.
Non Member Price: $350.00
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
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