Drivers are turning off safety systems because they don’t trust them, experts warn
Car changing is a big deal
Safety experts warn that inaccurate and frustrating driver assistance systems are causing motorists to switch them off, potentially undermining the road safety benefits they were designed to deliver.
Modern cars increasingly include safety systems designed to reduce accidents and driver error, but experts warn that these technologies may be undermined by the fact that many drivers don’t trust them enough to keep them turned on.
The concern is that drivers are actively disabling them after experiencing repeated inaccuracies or confusing behaviour behind the wheel.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
New findings from automotive risk intelligence company Thatcham Research suggests Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), now mandatory on all new cars sold in the UK, is a clear example of the issue.
ISA uses cameras and GPS mapping to identify the current speed limit and display it to the driver. In some vehicles, it can also link to systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control to help keep the car within the detected limit.
In theory, it’s a simple road safety tool that helps drivers avoid speeding and reduce collisions. However, Thatcham researchers found that some systems are getting speed limits wrong often enough to frustrate drivers and undermine confidence in the technology.
What did the research find?
In the worst-performing vehicle tested, the system displayed incorrect speed limits in around one in four key situations where the speed limit changed.
Even the best-performing vehicle still showed errors in roughly one in ten of these moments, according to Thatcham’s findings.
These are the points in a journey where drivers are most likely to notice the system working – or not working – correctly.
Researchers at Thatcham also found cases where vehicles displayed speed limits that do not legally exist in the UK, including 5mph, 10mph, 15mph and even 100mph readings.
Yousif Al-Ani, principal ADAS engineer at Thatcham Research, said: “Systems should be aligned with the defined speed limit parameters for each market. Where readings fall outside those recognised limits, they should be filtered to avoid unintended responses.
“Presenting a driver with readings that fall outside recognised limits can erode confidence in the technology, and that is the trend we are seeing across the vehicles we assess.”
Thatcham Research has stated that repeated inaccuracies may reduce driver confidence in ISA and could lead some drivers to switch it off.
If motorists begin switching the system off because they no longer trust it, the potential safety benefits that motivated its introduction could be significantly reduced.
Regulators must reassess their methods
Thatcham’s testing suggests the issue may not be isolated to a single manufacturer, but part of a wider challenge in how driver assistance systems interpret real-world road conditions.
The organisation says current regulatory testing methods may not fully reflect how these systems perform in real-world driving conditions. While official assessments focus on accuracy across the distance travelled, Thatcham’s research assessed performance at individual speed-limit change points.
Jonathan Hewett, chief executive of Thatcham Research, said the success of driver assistance technology ultimately depends on whether drivers are willing to rely on it.
“The intent behind the legislation is sound, helping drivers stay within speed limits saves lives,” he said. “But a system that misreads limits, intervenes unexpectedly or presents drivers with speed data that bears no relation to the road they are on does not assist them. It frustrates and distracts them, and they turn it off.”
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.