The majority of drivers using advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) report that they have confidence in them, but some are over-reliant on the technology. Many drivers also don’t know the technology’s limitations. Those are the findings of a recent study carried out by the AAA Foundation.
Key Highlights of the AAA Study
According to the AAA study, about 80% of car owners with blind-spot monitoring systems had limited knowledge about the technology’s limitations. Many drivers also erroneously thought that the system could inspect the roadway behind the car with precision or accurately detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other cars overtaking at excessive speeds. The fact is, however, that the technology can only sense when a vehicle is moving in the blind spot areas of the driver. Moreover, many systems cannot accurately sense cyclists or pedestrians.
About 25% of drivers either didn’t understand the shortcomings of the automatic emergency braking systems and forward-collision warning systems or couldn’t tell the two technologies apart. They stated that a forward collision warning could employ the brakes in the event of an emergency. In reality, this technology can only provide a warning signal.
Nearly 25% of owners of vehicles with rear cross-traffic alert coupled with blind-spot monitoring systems said they were comfortable depending only on systems and not visually inspecting the roadway for oncoming vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians.
Nearly 25% of drivers of vehicles equipped with lane departure warning and forward collision warning systems said they were comfortable performing other tasks, such as operating a cellphone or fiddling with a radio, while driving. Such tasks are perfect examples of distracted driving, which can engager the driver, pedestrians, and other road users. A car accident lawyer can review witness statements, driver’s phone records, driver’s social media presence, and footage of cameras near the crash scene to prove the driver was driving while distracted and help the victim recover both tangible and intangible damages.
AAA’s Tips for Using ADAS Technology Effectively
Drivers should pay full attention to the driving task and only consider ADAS as additional accident prevention systems. They should strive to understand what ADAS technology is designed to do and its limitations. Drivers of new vehicles should spend some time test driving their vehicles to get accustomed to the ADAS technology in place. They should, however, avoid becoming too reliant on the technology as it could fail at any time.
