Google researchers found a strong link between hard-braking events from Android Auto and actual crash rates on road segments. The study confirms that roads with more frequent hard braking have a higher risk of collisions. This research offers a new method for assessing road safety by using real-time driving data instead of relying solely on historical crash reports, which are often delayed and sparse.

Traditional safety evaluation depends on police-reported crash statistics, but this data is a lagging indicator. It can take years to gather enough data to identify a dangerous road segment. Hard-braking events provide a leading indicator—a more frequent signal of potential danger. By analyzing data from California and Virginia, the study showed these events occur on 18 times more road segments than reported crashes.

The research used statistical models to validate the connection, controlling for factors like traffic volume and road type. A case study on a notorious California merge point with a 70x higher crash rate also ranked in the top 1% for hard-braking frequency. Google plans to offer this data through its Maps Platform, giving agencies a tool to spot risks before tragedy strikes.