Advanced driving assistance

Several years ago, I recall, you wrote that you were concerned that all the new driving assist technology would make already distracted and lazy drivers more lazy and distracted (my words not yours but that’s pretty much what you said). I thought at the time you were a tech troglodyte, one of those the-old-ways-arealways-better types who could never move into the new world. Sorry. But I remembered it. This week I heard the end of a news report that seemed to verify your position. I don’t know who did the study. Do you have details?

The report was from AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. The fundamental finding was that it appears that drivers who have developed familiarity with and confidence in advanced driver assistance systems (things like anti-collision monitors) might be more likely to engage in things other than driving when they’re behind the wheel. Sad.

If this study is right, it seems that as drivers grow more comfortable with new driver-assist technology, they’re increasingly inclined to leave more of the job of driving to the vehicle, turning their attention to other things. That’s in comparison to drivers with less experience with such technology, who were less likely to be distracted, apparently because they don’t yet fully trust it.

“This new research suggests that as drivers gain more experience using ADAS technology, they could develop complacency while behind the wheel,” said David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Over-reliance on these systems can put drivers and others in dangerous conditions during critical moments.”

The distracted behaviors observed included texting.

The findings suggest that drivers go through different phases of learning and confidence. In the early “novelty” phase most drivers continue to rely on past driving behaviors, not so much the new technology, thereby remaining relatively engaged in the driving. Eventually, these drivers can reach “experienced user” phase, which can be accompanied by overreliance on the technology and they are more apt to divert their eyes and attention from the road.

We all enjoy being right. This is one time that I wish I hadn’t been. I would much prefer that people take the job of driving seriously.

Sharon Peters would like to hear about what's on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.