Drivers who have recently purchased a new car or plan on purchasing one may have access to the latest advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). A recent AAA study reveals that drivers should not rely too much on these autonomous and semi-autonomous features.
ADAS systems are designed to prevent crashes caused by human error. According to AAA, however, they could actually interfere with the task of driving or fail to work when needed the most.
What is ADAS technology?
ADAS technology often includes:
- Adaptive cruise control — maintains a safe distance between two cars automatically by using radar and sensors, and controlling car speed.
- Lane departure warnings — emits a sound to alert drivers when they start drifting out of their lanes or off the road.
- Forward collision warnings — alerts drivers by emitting a sound of an imminent forward collision danger.
- Lane keep assist — takes over steering functions when a driver starts veering off the road or gets too close to the centerline.
ADAS systems are classified as Level 2 driving automation on a scale of 0-5 by SAE International. This means that these features must be supervised when in use and drivers must still be engaged in driving.
Why shouldn't drivers rely on ADAS technology?
AAA researchers recently looked at 4,000 miles of daily driving scenarios involving the use of ADAS technology. They noticed there was, on average, a failure of these systems every eight miles. Lane departures and imminent forward collisions, for example, were found to fail the most.
Here is exactly what the study found:
- Systems that controlled acceleration, braking and steering would suddenly disengage, leaving the driver to need to take immediate control.
- 73% of all errors were linked to lane departures, and driving too close to a guardrail or centerline.
Greg Brannon is AAA's director of automotive engineering and industry relations. He explained why it's important to further test ADAS systems.
“Active driving assistance systems are designed to assist the driver and help make the roads safer, but the fact is, these systems are in the early stages of their development. With the number of issues we experienced in testing, it is unclear how these systems enhance the driving experience in their current form. In the long run, a bad experience with current technology may set back public acceptance of more fully automated vehicles in the future.”
What is the danger of relying too much on ADAS systems?
ADAS systems can only serve as a backup to help prevent crashes caused by human errors. They, themselves, cannot accomplish that. Drivers are responsible for staying fully engaged in the task of driving. They should never get distracted or complacent behind the wheel.
When ADAS systems suddenly fail, and drivers aren't prepared to take control, serious crashes can occur. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash by an inattentive driver, an experienced Ohio car accident attorney at Gervelis Law Firm can help you recover every dollar owed to you in damages.
Contact us online to learn about the legal options available to you. We serve clients in Toledo, Columbus, Youngstown, and Akron.