New in-car systems 'could prevent thousands of whiplash injuries'

Thousands of whiplash injuries could be prevented by a newly-developed range of in-car systems.

Thatcham has used a variety of technologies, such as radar, cameras and lasers to create its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.

According to the company, if fitted in all cars in the UK, these could prevent over 160,000 whiplash injuries that are caused each year through rear-end shunts.

"Sixteen thousand of these whiplash injuries are rated as serious with 1,600 causing permanent disability or impairment," a statement from Thatcham reads.

The firm believes that, in total, more than 270,000 crashes could be either prevented or mitigated if the AEB systems were fitted in all cars on the UK's roads.

On top of this, 650 serious injuries and 64 fatalities could be prevented.

Earlier in the month, research from the Association of British Insurers revealed that around 405,000 rear-end bumps take place in the UK each year, many of which result in whiplash injuries.

Posted by Trevor Baker

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