Forward Collision Alerts versus Collision Emergency Braking, Do You KNOW the Difference? The car makers have a variety of ways to describe: Forward Collision Alerts vs. Emergency Mitigation Braking.  In short, how their cars keep you from a front-end collision. See more in this video Forward Collision Alerts Forward Collision Emergency Bracking Collision Mitigation Braking Emergency Avoidance Braking Adaptive Cruise Control with or without BRAKING These are just a few of the many names car makers use to describe their version of crash avoidance protection.

What do you WANT and EXPECT your car to do in the event of an impending introduction of your grill and hood to the rear bumper of the car in front of you?

Avoid the crash: Awareness or Automatic BRAKING?

You want to know how your car is going to handle a possible front-end collision? Does your car brand require Adaptive Cruise Control* to get forward collision alerts? Carmakers like Honda and Toyota do NOT require you to have cruise control ON, to be able to receive alerts and automatic EMERGENCY braking.  NISSAN uses sonar and cameras to determine the potential for disaster in a variety of trim levels. If you #FAIL to get on the brake in time, these systems will tighten your seatbelt while slowing the car, hopefully to a full stop, BEFORE hitting the car in front of you.

Anti-Lock Brakes are NOT FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING!

New cars with ANTI-LOCK BRAKES will allow you to steer away from the car in front while the emergency braking is doing its thing. Many vehicles in the 2015-2017 like the Jaguar FPACE, a luxury SUV, include alerts in the base model ($60K) but require you to spend at the very top of the option package ($85k) to get the Emergency Braking. Simply put, ask to see a DEMONSTRATION of the system in full effect by a trained dealership professional before you drive off the lot thinking you are safe and sound. Ask you insurance company if you get EXTRA discounts for having these features. Some car brands have lower insurance costs because they have these features. See the article from IIHS on accident avoidance technology…      Read more: Honda Sensing insurance  
  • You set the number of car lengths between you and the car in front and the Cruise COntrol adapts to keep the distance.
______________________________________ MyCarlady is a 28yr automotive industry executive, consumer car advocate and AARP Smartdriver and SmartDriverTEK Instructor. If you have a question feel free to email her at sarahlee at mycarlady dot com. ]]>