Future safety features that will be implemented into cars and trucks in the US market over the next 5 years

By: Patrick Clounch

Host: The Hot Topic Podcast | Commercial Truck Sales Professional | Influencer

Over the next five years, mandatory and consumer-driven safety features will proliferate in cars and trucks sold in the U.S., leveraging advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), telematics, and in-cabin monitoring. These technologies are being propelled by federal regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a desire to reduce fatalities involving both vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users.

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

This technology automatically applies a vehicle's brakes to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision.

• Mandate: By September 2029, AEB with pedestrian detection will be required on all new passenger cars and light trucks weighing less than 10,000 pounds.

• Performance requirements:

  • Vehicles must be able to prevent crashes with other vehicles at speeds up to 62 mph.

  • Systems must apply brakes for pedestrians in both daytime and nighttime conditions, at speeds up to 45 mph.

  • AEB with pedestrian detection has been shown to reduce pedestrian injuries by about 30%.

  • Studies found AEB has reduced rear-end collisions by up to 50%.

Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS)

DMS use cameras and sensors to monitor a driver's state and detect signs of distraction, drowsiness, or fatigue.

• Market growth: The U.S. driver monitoring system market is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 16%.

• Use cases:

  • Some advanced systems can monitor eye and head movement to ensure the driver is paying attention during semi-autonomous driving features.

  • Integration with fleet management solutions helps improve driver accountability for commercial fleets.

• Commercial vehicle growth: The commercial vehicle segment is expected to see a notable increase in DMS adoption due to stricter safety compliance regulations.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)

ISA systems use cameras and GPS data to identify the current speed limit and alert the driver if they are exceeding it.

• Limited U.S. adoption: Unlike Europe, the U.S. does not have a federal mandate for ISA, partly due to concerns about driver control.

• Pilot programs: Pilot programs are being evaluated in the U.S., such as a 500-vehicle pilot in New York City, where the technology reduced speeding significantly.

• Future role: As speeding contributes to about 29% of traffic fatalities, ISA could play a greater role, especially in commercial fleets.

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication

V2X technology allows vehicles to communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and cyclists.

• Projected integration: An estimated 70 million cars globally are expected to have V2X capabilities by 2028.

• Safety benefits: V2X enhances situational awareness and collision risk detection beyond the range of onboard sensors.

In-cabin safety enhancements. Occupant monitoring systems (OMS). OMS use sensors and cameras to monitor a vehicle's occupants.

• Driver Monitoring integration: OMS are often bundled with DMS to offer a comprehensive "in-cabin sensing suite".

• Purpose: OMS ensure proper seatbelt usage, optimize airbag deployment based on occupant size and position, and provide safety measures tailored to occupant characteristics.

Event Data Recorders (EDRs)

EDRs automatically record a vehicle's data in the event of a crash or crash-like event.

• Updated standard: NHTSA is updating the EDR standard to ensure the data is more complete and accurate.

• Purpose: EDR data is crucial for crash reconstruction, research, and improving safety regulations.

Commercial truck and fleet safety. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC automatically detects and corrects a vehicle's tendency to skid, assisting the driver in maintaining control.

• Mandate: All heavy-duty trucks (Class 7 and 8) will be required to have ESC by 2027, with smaller trucks (Class 3–6) required by 2028.

Telematics. Fleet management telematics is already widely adopted, but its use for safety is projected to grow.

• Safety benefits: Telematics helps improve driver safety and behavior, track risky driving incidents, and provide data for ongoing driver training programs.

• Growth: The U.S. commercial telematics market is expected to reach $61 billion by 2033, growing at a 12.3% CAGR.

Structural and design improvements. Pedestrian protection standards

New vehicle design standards will be implemented to mitigate the risk of serious head injuries for pedestrians struck by a vehicle.

• Test procedures: The new standard, based on a Global Technical Regulation (GTR), includes test procedures simulating a head-to-hood impact to ensure minimum safety requirements are met.

• Compliance: Compliance with these new regulations is scheduled to begin in 2027.

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