ADAS: many drivers don't use driver assistance systems

Car manufacturers are fitting their new models with driver assistance systems (ADAS) designed to increase safety on every journey. In theory, this is a clear advantage that drivers can use to optimise the use of the vehicle and maintain safety at all times. But reality shows us that these ADAS, which is what they are called, are not being used in the way that was expected.

In the United Kingdom, a survey of 1,350 British drivers was carried out, asking them about how they use these features. The result was quite surprising. It revealed that many of the available systems are rarely used and are never even activated.

For example, this study highlights that the adaptive cruise control system is not used by 25.9% of drivers. In addition, 7% of respondents do not know how to use it, so they keep it switched off. The data on this issue continues.

Low use of ADAS

Other relevant data from this study is the figure for drivers who avoid using the lane keeping assist. This is 18% of drivers, while 21.3% deactivate the emergency brake. One of the reasons behind this low use of ADAS is that they are too aggressive and create more risks than they avoid.

For this reason, 17.8% do not use the voice recognition system, while head-up displays with augmented reality show 17.1% of people who do not use them, while 7% say they do not know how they work. Only 22.4% of drivers use them regularly. There are other systems aimed at comfort and safety that go unused.

Massage seats are only used naturally by 22% of drivers. Automatic start is only used by 24.4%. It is clear that these systems are more common in high-end models, so not everyone has them, but even those that are equipped with them do not tend to use them for the most part.

Driving modes, which help adjust driving conditions according to the selected setting, are not very popular either. Although almost all new models include them, only 27.3% of drivers use them. Curiously, it is the young, aged between 25 and 24, who use this system the most to improve their driving.

Those that are used

However, it should be noted that several of them are quite widely used and very well accepted. Bluetooth connectivity, the navigation system, reversing cameras and heated windscreens are the most used, compared with those that require a certain safe level of knowledge about how they work.

With all this in mind, one might think that eliminating many of these systems would make new cars cheaper, but many of them are mandatory under European legislation, so they cannot be removed. That said, the features related to comfort and optional systems can be removed to avoid an extra cost on vehicles.