New vehicle safety technology shows promise, limitations

More and more, drivers are recognizing the value in owning vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like blind spot monitoring systems, forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist.

However, while many of these technologies are rapidly being offered as standard equipment, many drivers are unaware of the safety limitations of ADAS in their vehicles, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

For example, researchers found that nearly 80% of drivers with blind spot monitoring systems were unaware of limitations or incorrectly believed the system could accurately detect vehicles passing at very high speeds, bicycles and pedestrians.

In reality, the technology can only detect when a vehicle is traveling in a driver’s blind spot and many systems do not reliably detect pedestrians or cyclists. Lack of understanding or confusion about the proper function of ADAS technologies can lead to misuse and overreliance on the systems, which could result in a deadly crash.

When properly utilized, ADAS technologies have the potential to prevent 40% of all vehicle crashes and nearly 30% of traffic deaths. However, driver understanding and proper use is crucial in reaping the full safety benefits of these systems. Findings from this new research show that there is still a lot of work to be done in educating drivers about proper use of ADAS technologies and their limitations.

In 2016, more than 37,400 people were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S., a 5% increase from 2015. With ADAS technologies offering proven safety benefits when properly used, it is important that automakers and others play a greater role in educating drivers about the technology in the vehicles they purchase. AAA also urges drivers to take charge of learning their vehicle technology’s functions and limitations in order to improve safety on the road.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety commissioned researchers from the University of Iowa to survey drivers who recently purchased a 2016 or 2017 model-year vehicle with ADAS technologies. Researchers evaluated drivers’ opinions, awareness and understanding of these technologies and found that most did not know or understand the limitations of the systems:

Blind spot monitoring

80%of drivers did not know the technology’s limitations or incorrectly believed that the systems could monitor the roadway behind the vehicle or reliably detect bicycles, pedestrians and vehicles passing at high speeds.

Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking

Nearly 40% of drivers did not know the system’s limitations, or confused the two technologies — incorrectly reporting that forward collision warning could apply the brakes in the case of an emergency, when the technology is only designed to deliver a warning signal. Moreover, roughly one in six vehicle owners in the survey reported that they did not know whether or not their vehicle was equipped with automatic emergency braking.

False expectations for ADAS systems can easily lead to misuse of the technology or an increase in driver distraction. In the survey, about 25% of drivers using blind spot monitoring or rear cross traffic alert systems report feeling comfortable relying solely on the systems and not performing visual checks or looking over their shoulder for oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

About 25% of vehicle owners using forward collision warning or lane departure warning systems report feeling comfortable engaging in other tasks while driving.

Only about half of the drivers who report purchasing their vehicle from a car dealership recalled being offered training on the ADAS technology. However, for those who were, nearly 90 percent took advantage of the opportunity and completed the training.

Drivers should understand their technology’s features, functions and limitations before leaving the lot, in order to reduce misuse or overreliance on the systems. AAA encourages drivers to read your owner’s manual to learn what systems are installed in your vehicle.

Be an informed buyer: Ask plenty of questions about the alerts, functions, capabilities and limitations of the vehicle’s safety technologies before leaving the dealership.

Insist on an in-vehicle demonstration and test drive to better understand how the systems will engage on the roadway.