New AAA Study On Advanced Safety Systems In Cars

The American Automobile Association is sharing a new study involving Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Its latest study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety involves driver behavior and comfort level after using advanced driver assistance systems over a 6-8 week period. It found that drivers learn to trust ADAS tech over time, and as they do, their attention to driving tends to drop.

Key Takeaways

The study has a few key takeaways: 

• Drivers can become comfortable with ADAS over time but are less likely to use the technologies in high-demand situations, preferring to use driver assistance on roads with lower traffic and better weather conditions.
• Drivers who used their vehicle’s ADAS reported lower stress levels and greater driving enjoyment.
• Over 6-8 weeks, there was an increase in the frequency of system warnings reminding the drivers to pay attention.  Researchers say this suggests that drivers became more comfortable engaging in non-driving activities as they gained familiarity with ADAS.

“The AAA Foundation findings from this research are a cautiously positive sign for the future of vehicle automation,” said Dr. David Yang, President and executive director of the AAA Foundation. “As drivers become more comfortable with the technology, they will be more likely to use it, which could lead to safer and more efficient transportation. But they must use it properly and understand the system’s limitations.”

This particular study involved 30 drivers operating a vehicle with advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) features, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assistance. Study participants drove the ADAS-equipped vehicle for 6-8 weeks on highways and were assessed before, during, and after on their behavior and attitudes toward the driving assistance technology.

Researchers say at first drivers paid more attention to driving when using ADAS than without it. But after a few weeks of using ADAS, drivers started to relax and multitask more while the vehicle was in partial control.  They say this suggests that drivers can learn to trust ADAS systems over time. However, they warn that drivers must keep limitations of the tech in mind and be ready to take over in an emergency.

AAA says its findings present essential info to automakers as they work to deploy safe and effective automated vehicles.

ADAS are widely available, with some technologies combining vehicle acceleration with braking and steering. AAA says that since the introduction of these sorts of ADAS features, researchers have been numerous newsworthy instances of drivers misusing the systems by watching videos, working, sleeping, or even climbing into the backseat.

Camera-based systems that monitor driver attention are one way to prevent this type of dangerous activity.  AAA recently tested different systems and found camera-based systems are superior to steering wheel-based systems. 

The Future of Vehicle Automation

Researchers say their findings suggest that ADAS-equipped vehicles have the potential to be a safe and efficient way to travel. A Foundation report released in August estimates that available ADAS technologies could prevent approximately 37 million crashes, 14 million injuries, and nearly 250,000 deaths over the next 30 years. However, researchers say that automakers and regulators must consider that drivers must retake complete control of their vehicles in certain situations and say that vehicle automation must have safety features, allowing drivers to intervene quickly and easily.

“The potential lifesaving benefits of vehicle safety technologies are maximized only when drivers keep them on and use them correctly,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy. “These study results help illuminate the important and sometimes irrational ways we as drivers interact with technology.”

To learn more about the AAA Foundation's Safe System Approach (SSA)click  here.