Subaru’s EyeSight System Advances Bicycle Crash Prevention

A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reveals that early versions of Subaru’s EyeSight crash avoidance system demonstrated success in preventing real-world crashes involving bicyclists traveling parallel to the road by 29 percent. However, the study also indicates that the system had only a minor effect on reducing cyclist crashes overall. Subaru has since introduced updates to the system, aiming to enhance its effectiveness in recognizing cyclists in the most common crash scenarios.

EyeSight is a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features offered by Subaru which encompasses technologies such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and is enabled by cameras mounted behind the windshield.

Previous research, including studies by the IIHS, has indicated that crossing crashes are the most common type of bicycle crashes in the U.S. and Europe. While parallel crashes are more prevalent in cases where the cyclist is killed, the study cautions that it doesn’t provide a definitive measure of EyeSight’s ability to prevent these fatal crashes, as they involve high speeds and unique circumstances that could affect the system’s performance.

Subaru has already released the third generation of EyeSight, designed to prevent both crossing and parallel crashes, although it is currently too early to evaluate its real-world effectiveness.