According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), just under 30% of claims in 2022 involved rear vehicle damage, such as when reversing, with average repair costs reaching £3,100.
The study suggests that the widespread adoption of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) could significantly reduce these incidents.
David Aylor, Vice President of Active Safety for the IIHS, stated:
“Reversing crashes are common and can lead to substantial damage, often resulting in high repair costs. Our research indicates that these systems can reduce backing crashes by up to 80%.”
This conclusion is based on tests of eight small SUVs, which were rated as superior, advanced, or basic depending on their effectiveness in preventing collisions or reducing speed before impact.
Superior ratings were given to the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Subaru Forester. The Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Taos received advanced ratings, while the Hyundai Tucson was rated as basic.
Aylor explained:
“Rear crash prevention systems use ultrasonic sensors mounted at the back of the vehicle to warn drivers of obstacles and, in some cases, automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Many vehicles also incorporate radar units as part of a rear cross-traffic alert system to notify drivers of approaching vehicles when backing up.”
The IIHS is now advocating for all manufacturers to make rear ADAS features standard to reduce collisions and enhance passenger safety.
Source bodyshopmag.com
