WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More and
more, drivers are recognizing the value in having 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, 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 percent 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 or 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 percent of all vehicle crashes and nearly 30 percent of
traffic deaths. However, driver understanding and proper use is
crucial in reaping the full safety benefits of these systems," said
Dr. David Yang, executive director
of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "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
- a five percent 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
motorists about the technology available in the vehicles they
purchase," said Jake Nelson, AAA
director of traffic safety advocacy and research. "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 percent 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 percent 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 percent 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 percent of vehicle owners using forward collision
warning or lane departure warning systems report feeling
comfortable engaging in other tasks while driving.
"New vehicle safety technology is designed to make driving
safer, but it does not replace the important role each of us plays
behind the wheel," Yang continued. "The prospect of self-driving
cars is exciting, but we aren't there yet. Automakers have an
ethical and important responsibility to accurately market, and to
carefully educate consumers about the technologies we purchase in
the vehicles we drive off the lot."
As part of its ongoing traffic safety mission, new AAA
Foundation research also evaluated the potential these popular
advanced driver assistance technologies have in helping to reduce
or prevent crashes. The findings show that if installed on all
vehicles, ADAS technologies can potentially prevent more than 2.7
million crashes, 1.1 million injuries and nearly 9,500 deaths each
year:
ADAS
Systems
|
Crashes
|
Injuries
|
Deaths
|
Forward Collision
Warning/ Automatic Emergency Braking
|
1,994,000
|
884,000
|
4,738
|
Lane Departure
Warning / Lane Keeping Assist
|
519,000
|
187,000
|
4,654
|
Blind Spot
Warning
|
318,000
|
89,000
|
274
|
Total Potentially
Preventable by all systems
|
2,748,000
|
1,128,000
|
9,496
|
Despite the findings that show confusion about some ADAS
technologies, at least 70 percent of vehicle owners report that
they would recommend the technology to other drivers. The greatest
proportion of drivers reported trusting blind spot monitoring
systems (84 percent), followed by rear-cross traffic alert (82
percent), lane departure warning (77 percent), lane keeping assist
(73 percent), forward collision warning (69 percent) and automatic
emergency braking (66 percent).
These findings should prompt additional focus on the importance
of educating new and used car buyers about how safety technologies
work. "The training drivers need to properly use the safety
technologies in their vehicles is not currently offered," added
Nelson. "If educating consumers about vehicle technology was as
much a priority for the automakers and dealers as making the sale,
we would all reap the benefits."
Only about half of the drivers who report purchasing their
vehicle from a car dealership recalled being offered a training on
the ADAS technology. However, for those who were, nearly 90 percent
took advantage of the opportunity and completed the training.
For now, drivers are their best safety advocate to ensure that
they 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 up: Read your owner's manual to learn what systems
are installed in your vehicle.
- See it in action: Insist on an in-vehicle demonstration
and test drive to better understand how the systems will engage on
the roadway.
- Ask questions: Ask plenty of questions about the alerts,
functions, capabilities and limitations of the vehicle's safety
technologies before leaving the dealership. For example, ask if
there are scenarios when a technology will not function properly on
the road.
For additional resources, visit AAA.com/DriverAssistanceSystem.
AAA's classroom or online Roadwise Driver course can also help
drivers learn more about the functions and limitations of popular
ADAS technologies available on new vehicles.
About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Established in 1947 by
AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit,
publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational
organization. The AAA Foundation's mission is to prevent traffic
deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by
educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce
injuries when they do occur. This research is used to develop
educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and
other road users. Visit www.AAAFoundation.org.
About AAA: As North America's largest motoring and leisure
travel organization, AAA provides more than 59 million members with
automotive, travel, insurance and financial services through its
federation of 36 motor clubs and nearly 1,100 branch offices across
North America. Since 1902, the
not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate
for safe mobility. Drivers can request roadside assistance,
identify nearby gas prices, locate discounts, book a hotel or map a
route via the AAA Mobile app. To join, visit AAA.com.
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SOURCE AAA