AAA Study: New Cars Are Much Better at Sensing Pedestrians But It’s Far From Perfect
New pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) systems are substantially better at detecting people at night.
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (October 15, 2025) – New AAA research into pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) systems found strides had been made toward preventing crashes at night, but the technology remains far from perfect.
This latest research found significant improvement showing PAEB systems were now up to 60% effective at detecting pedestrians at night and avoided crashes in some instances, a remarkable improvement from a 2019 version of this study that found PAEB systems couldn’t detect pedestrians at all in low light conditions.
However, the study found mixed results when pedestrian test dummies wore ANSI Class 3, the type of high-visibility clothing used by emergency roadside assistance providers. In some cases, PAEB was more effective at detecting dummies wearing high-visibility clothing but in another instance completely lost detection of the dummy.
Key Findings:
Overall, between 2019 and 2025, nighttime PAEB impact avoidance improved from 0% to 60%.
Wearing ANSI Class 3 high-visibility clothing, similar to what roadside workers use, had:
- No negative effect on PAEB performance during the daytime, avoiding a collision 95% of the time.
- Varied PAEB responses at nighttime, ranging from improved avoidance to complete loss of detection.
Given that over 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark, detection and response inconsistency poses ongoing significant risks to pedestrian safety. Recent findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS) revealed pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. rose by over 80% in the past 15 years, with this increase occurring on urban arterial roads and after dark.
The complete methodology is available in the full research report.
“As an organization with a deep history rooted in traffic safety these findings are crucial because PAEB has the potential to save lives,” said Todd Burger, Chief Automotive Officer for AAA Mountain West Group. “The real-world scenarios in this research are meant to show where this technology can be improved, and highlights AAA’s commitment to creating safer roads for drivers and pedestrians alike.”
Driver action needed to reduce the number of pedestrian and roadside fatalities
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2023, an estimated 7,314 pedestrians were killed, and more than 68,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide.
Additional concerns are raised when considering AAA roadside assistance providers wear high-visibility gear while working in high-speed traffic or hazardous environments. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analysis of data from the Emergency Responder Safety Institute found an average of 23 roadside assistance providers a year, including tow providers, were struck and killed by vehicles while working at the roadside in the years 2020-2024.
“PAEB technology still requires years of future development but emergency road crews face danger every single day,” said Burger. “The technology, which will require a few more years to fully evolve is important, but your best action today to save lives is Slow Down, Move Over to help emergency road crews remain safe.”
AAA recommends drivers always remember to exercise caution on the road:
- Do not rely solely on pedestrian detection systems to prevent a crash.
- Drive with extra caution at night, as this is the riskiest time for pedestrians.
- Remember to stay alert. Engaging in risky driving behaviors such as speeding, texting, driving while drowsy or distracted, or driving under the influence of cannabis or alcohol significantly increases the risk of a collision. Follow speed limits, keep your smartphone out of reach, and only drive when sober.
- Read your vehicle’s owner manual to understand what safety systems the vehicle is equipped with and how they operate.
- Drivers are responsible for yielding to pedestrians, but those traveling on foot should also be vigilant. Pedestrians should stay cautious by staying on sidewalks and using crosswalks whenever possible.
About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, and Utah. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.