As modern vehicles become increasingly advanced, the technology designed to make driving safer may, ironically, be leading to greater risk. Features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking are now commonplace on new vehicles. Yet experts warn that many drivers are leaning on this technology too heavily, putting themselves and other road users at risk.

The risk of driver complacency

Although Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can support safer driving when used correctly, used incorrectly they can lead to a false sense of security. Among the main concerns are:

• Reduced attention – drivers who assume the car will intervene in all scenarios may become distracted or disengaged.
• Complacency in skill – relying on assisted parking, lane centring, or speed limiters can diminish core driving skills, especially for new drivers.
• System limitations – ADAS is not foolproof. Rain, fog, poor road markings or sensor damage can cause systems to fail or misread the environment.
• Misunderstood capabilities – drivers may mistake warning systems for automatic intervention. In some cases, features intended only to assist are assumed to be fully autonomous.

Confidence or overconfidence?

According to AA Driving School research, only half of drivers feel ‘very confident’ driving without features such as parking sensors, blind spot monitors, or built-in sat navs. For younger drivers aged 25–34, more than half believe that in-car tech is making drivers worse behind the wheel.

Other findings include:

• 44% of drivers don’t feel very confident driving without a built-in sat nav.
• 13% say they wouldn’t feel confident driving without one at all.
• A third of drivers are unsure how systems like lane-keeping assist or speed limiters actually work.

While familiarity tends to increase with age and experience, younger drivers who’ve been taught using these technologies may never fully develop key manual driving skills.

A need for better education

Road safety experts agree that the human factor remains the most important aspect of safe driving. Technology can and should support, but not replace, the attention, awareness and judgement of a capable driver.

Yet driver understanding of ADAS is limited:

• Only 18% of drivers could correctly identify what ADAS is.
• Many are unaware that calibration of these systems is required after windscreen replacement, suspension work or even minor bumps.
• 39% incorrectly believe ADAS calibration is carried out during an MOT.