PAUL Fincham, Motor Fleet Broker for Bluedrop Services, addresses Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Systems and encourages fleets to keep one step ahead by requesting for AEB to be fitted. #StopTheCrash

From 1 November, EU legislation required that newly registered Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes are now legally required fitment of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) Systems.

This comes as a welcome change to responsible haulage operators who recognise their duty of care towards their employees and the general public. Clearly legislating such safety technology on the largest vehicles on the roads, which will have the greatest impact in a crash situation, is a huge step in the right direction, but surely the same treatment for any form of commercial vehicle needs to follow.

Potentially in the future we would like to see AEB being considered as essential as airbags or seatbelts for car safety.

AEB uses laser and radar sensors under the front bonnet to identify oncoming vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. It can take into consideration speed, direction of travel and the proximity of an obstacle, in order to notify the driver or automatically stop or slow the HGV. The impact of this technology helps to guard against late braking or braking without enough force, and prevents or limits the damage as a result.

Earlier in the year Euro NCAP and ANCAP (Australasia) conducted a study ‘Effectiveness of Low Speed Autonomous Braking in Real World Rear End Crashes’, and pooled the data from five European countries as well as Australia.

The findings showed that AEB leads to a 38% reduction in rear end crashes at low speed for both HGVs and commercial cars, which is a clear endorsement for the technology. As most crashes on the roads are due to driver error or distraction – according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), 90% of accidents are due to human error – such intervention is set to create a positive impact on the haulage and freight industry as a whole.

Autonomous driving and safety technologies are often described as having one of the most positive impacts on the fleet industry, second only to ultra-low emission powertrains. AEB can prevent and mitigate both injury and damage as well as directly benefitting your fleet insurance costs.

The insurance industry as a whole have recognised the benefits and reduction in accidents, fatalities and injuries such as whiplash claims which already cost the UK over £2 billion a year in claims. Following the importance of AEB technology there will also be a new LCV insurance group rating for 2016 which incorporates the introduction of AEB among other features resulting in lower groupings.

At Bluedrop we have noticed decreases in the number of claims made as a result of many fleets switching to AEB technology. AEB helps to protect the company’s legal standing, reputation and importantly their safety record as well as many insurance companies offering up to a 10% reduction on premiums.

• Paul has 24 years’ experience in the motor insurance industry and has a wealth of knowledge having started within regional broking as an account executive for ten years prior to moving into Underwriting with AXA, LV & Andeva Underwriting Agency Ltd. As Motor Fleet Broker for Bluedrop Services, Paul specialises in Motor Fleet Insurance and offers advice and support to customers managing motor fleets.