Drivers in the US and around the world are increasingly interested in getting behind the wheel of new vehicles capable of automatically changing lanes and maintaining speeds on highways. Carmakers argue vehicles equipped with these partially autonomous tools, collectively referred to as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are a win-win, offering drivers both convenience and added safety, especially during long trips where fatigue sets in. ADAS, in other words, can cut back on human error.
But a first-of-its report on ADAS systems from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), one of the nation’s leading independent safety groups, questions whether or not these tools are actually improving safety at all. The IIHS tested ADAS systems from 14 separate carmakers and not a single one of them earned its highest “good rating,” while 11 of the systems received a “poor” rating. The striking IIHS results highlight the importance of rigorous testing to ensure highly-marketed ADAS are actually being used the ways they are advertised and not unintentionally causing more harm than good.
“Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer,” IIHS President David Harkey said in a statement. “As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards.”
What are ADAS systems?
Vehicles equipped with ADAS systems use onboard cameras and sensors to analyze roadways and help keep drivers, maintain proper speeds, and automatically apply brakes when appropriate. Some of these systems, like Tesla’s popular Autopilot and Full-Self-Driving, can also automatically switch between lanes. Systems like these are growing in popularity. Counterpoint Research estimates ADAS enabled vehicles made up 46% of new cars sold in the US in the first half of 2022.
Despite confusing branding from some…
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