Although the availability of ADAS features in new vehicles is expanding rapidly, full integration into the existing passenger vehicle fleet is likely to take decades. The average age of passenger vehicles in the United States has increased 10.3% in the last 10 years. The current average age of a passenger vehicle in the United States is 12.8 years. Given the number of older vehicles on U.S. roads, the full safety benefit of ADAS technologies will take years.
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The Highway Loss Data Institute estimates that by 2029, six ADAS systems will be present in half or more registered vehicles. By 2029, approximately 78% of registered vehicles will be equipped with rear cameras, 68% will have rear parking sensors, 59% will have front crash prevention, 56% will have blind spot monitoring, 55% will have front automatic emergency braking, and 54% will have lane departure warning. In contrast, by 2029 only 16% of registered vehicles are likely to have curve-adaptive headlights, and only 24% are likely to be equipped with adaptive cruise control with lane centering.
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A study estimates the number of motor-vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths ADAS technologies are likely to prevent over 30 years. The estimate process includes: identifying ADAS technologies likely to be available over 30 years; estimating the effectiveness of ADAS technologies to avoid various types of crashes; modeling ADAS technology adoption, diffusion, and safety performance over time; and using the results of the preceding steps to estimate the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths that will be avoided due to ADAS technologies each year through 2050.
The study projects that the use of ADAS technologies could help avoid 249,400 fatalities and 14,138,000 nonfatal injuries from 2021 through 2050, in the most likely scenario. The most pessimistic scenario projects avoiding 152,100 fatalities and 8,673,000 nonfatal injuries. In comparison, the most optimistic scenario projects the avoidance of 298,300 fatalities and 16,814,000 nonfatal injuries.
The charts below provides annual projected fatalities and nonfatal injuries avoided in 2030, 2040, and 2050 using the most likely scenario. As can be seen, even with the benefits of ADAS technologies, the number of deaths remains relatively stable, while the number of nonfatal injuries are projected to slightly increase over 30 years.
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Sources:
Age of passenger vehicle fleet: Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Retrieved on 4/17/2026 from: https://www.bts.gov/content/average-age-automobiles-and-trucks-operation-united-states
Naumann, R.B., Kreuger, L.K., Sandt, L., Hassmiller Lich, K., Bauchwitz, B., Kumfer, W., & Combs, T. (2023). Examining the safety benefits of partial vehicle automation technologies in an uncertain future. Foundation for Traffic Safety. Downloaded: https://aaafoundation.org/examining-the-safety-benefits-of-partial-vehicle-automation-technologies-in-an-uncertain-future/
Highway Loss Data Institute. (May 2025). Predicted availability of safety features on registered vehicles – 2025 update. Bulletin, Vol.42, No. 4.