Almost every new vehicle on the market has advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) included. It is the new normal.
These features are meant to help reduce the effect of human error. In turn, this can help to improve vehicle safety and reduce accidents. However, New Jersey drivers must make sure they have a thorough understanding of how these technologies work before getting behind the wheel.
How effective are ADAS technologies?
It is true that, overall, ADAS technologies do help to reduce crashes. For example, the National Safety Council (NSC) reported that:
- Forward collision prevention reduced crashes that led to injuries by 56%; and
- Blind-spot detection helped reduce injury-causing crashes in lane changes by 23%.
These technologies are having a considerable impact on traffic safety across the country. However, drivers can only benefit from this impact and avoid dangerous accidents if they fully understand the capabilities – and the limitations – of ADAS.
Drivers must understand ADAS before taking to the road
Why is this so important? According to a study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety published in 2018, too many drivers rely too much on ADAS technologies alone when they are behind the wheel. These technologies are only meant to help drivers – not replace them.
The study found that:
- 80% of drivers surveyed were not aware of the limitations of blind-spot detection and monitoring;
- 25% of drivers with forward collision and lane departure warnings felt comfortable doing other things behind the wheel; and
- 25% of drivers believed they could rely on blind-spot monitoring technologies alone and did not complete visual checks.
Additionally, the NSC also states that the capabilities of ADAS technologies vary by vehicle model and manufacturer.
If drivers are not aware of the limitations of these systems, it could potentially increase the risk of a crash, especially if they engage in distractions behind the wheel.
Therefore, drivers must take time to understand how ADAS technologies work in their vehicles to stay safe and avoid an accident. It is still up to drivers to drive defensively – no matter what type of technologies they have in their vehicle.
