Drivers in the US and around the world are increasingly interested in getting behind the wheel of new vehicles capable of automatically changing lanes and maintaining speeds on highways. Carmakers are equipping vehicles with these partially autonomous tools, collectively referred to as 'advanced driver assistance systems' (ADAS), which offer drivers both convenience and added safety, especially during long trips where fatigue sets in. In other words, ADAS can reduce human error. increasingly interested in getting behind the wheel of new vehicles capable of automatically changing lanes and maintaining speeds on highways. Carmakers argue vehicles equipped with these partially autonomous tools, collectively referred to as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are a win-win, offering drivers both convenience and added safety, especially during long trips where fatigue sets in. ADAS, in other words, can cut back on human error.
But a first-of-its report on ADAS systems from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), one of the nation’s leading independent safety groups, questions whether or not these tools are actually improving safety at all. The IIHS tested ADAS systems from 14 separate carmakers and not a single one of them earned its highest 'good rating,' while 11 of the systems received a 'poor' rating. The striking IIHS results highlight the importance of rigorous testing to ensure highly-marketed ADAS are actually being used the ways they are advertised and not unintentionally causing more harm than good.
“Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer,” IIHS President David Harkey said in a statement. “As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards.” statement“Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer,” IIHS President David Harkey said in a
What are ADAS systems?
Vehicles equipped with ADAS systems use onboard cameras and sensors to analyze roadways and help keep drivers, maintain proper speeds, and automatically apply brakes when appropriate. Some of these systems, like Tesla’s popular Autopilot and Full-Self-Driving, can also automatically switch between lanes. Systems like these are growing in popularity. Autopilot Cars with automated driver systems are rated on a six-point autonomy scale ranging from 0-5. Autopilot, for example, is considered Level 2 whereas more advanced driverless systems that do not require a driver, like the one being pursued by Waymo, are considered Level 4. Drivers using partial automated driving systems are still legally required to monitor their vehicle and be prepared to take over control at a moment’s notice. estimates ADAS enabled vehicles made up 46% of new cars sold in the US in the first half of 2022.
Despite There's confusing branding from some automakers and others that may suggest otherwise, but ADAS systems are not the same as fully-autonomous, self-driving vehicles.There's confusing branding from some automakers and others that may suggest otherwise, but ADAS systems are not the same as fully-autonomous, self-driving vehicles. Cars with automated driver systems are rated on a six-point autonomy scale ranging from 0-5. not There's confusing branding from some automakers and others that may suggest otherwise, but ADAS systems are not the same as fully-autonomous, self-driving vehicles. Cars with automated driver systems are rated on an six-point autonomy scale ranging from 0-5 Counterpoint Research reports that ADAS enabled vehicles made up 46% of new cars sold in the US in the first half of 2022.Counterpoint Research reports that ADAS enabled vehicles made up 46% of new cars sold in the US in the first half of 2022. Counterpoint Research reports that ADAS enabled vehicles made up 46% of new cars sold in the US in the first half of 2022.Counterpoint Research reports that ADAS enabled vehicles made up 46% of new cars sold in the US in the first half of 2022.
The IIHS report, which tested systems from BMW, Ford, General Motors, Genesis, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla, and Volvo, pushes back on whether these ADAS systems are actually making roads safer. Most of the systems analyzed by the IIHS failed to properly determine whether or not a driver was looking at the road or lacked attention reminders to prevent drivers from being distracted. In some cases, the IIHS says drivers can activate some of the systems without ever strapping on a seat belt.
IIHS says for ADAS systems to be safe, they need to always detect if a driver's eyes are on the road and if their hands are on the wheel, usually done with in-cabin cameras and steering wheel sensors. None of the 14 systems fully met these requirements, with some in-car cameras not reacting when partially blocked and Mercedes-Benz lacking an in-car camera.
When drivers don't keep their eyes on the road, IIHS says ADAS systems should give visible and audible alerts within 10 seconds and start an emergency slowdown within 20 seconds. Seven of the tested systems didn't provide these alerts within 15 seconds. Two, from Tesla and BMW, continued to switch lanes without input from the driver, even after the driver had stopped for two minutes. IIHS warns that lack of human input for long periods can dangerously discourage drivers from being involved in driving.
IIHS also checked how systems reacted when a driver didn't respond to a warning for more than 35 seconds, indicating incapacitation or misuse. In such cases, vehicles should automatically start an emergency slowdown and alert emergency services. Only General Motors’ Super Cruise system met these specifications. Super Cruise system was the only one that met these specifications.
Harkey says most systems lack measures to prevent misuse and keep drivers focused on the road.
Preventing “intentional misuse”
Major carmakers have used IIHS safety ratings to promote their vehicles. IIHS was founded in 1959 by three insurance associations and focuses on reducing car injuries and damage. describes itself as a “nonprofit scientific and educational organization” focused on reducing car injuries and damage. IIHS reportedly created this ADAS rating system because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lacks comparable standards.
IIHS hopes these ratings will push carmakers to prevent intentional misuse of ADAS systems and discourage activating these systems when automatic braking and seat belts aren’t on, issues that can be addressed with over-the-air updates without the need for a visit to a dealership.
“No single system did well across the board, but in each category at least one system performed well,” Harkey added. “That means the fixes are readily available and, in some cases, may be accomplished with nothing more than a simple software update.”
Thorough testing of ADAS systems' reliability is crucial as they become more widely used and involved in more crashes. estimates ADAS systems were active in around 392 crashes in the US, leading to about half a dozen deaths. 367 of these incidents took place in the 10 months from July 2021 to May 2022. Tesla was responsible for most of these crashes due to the popularity of its ADAS systems.
Despite these challenges, drivers continue to show more interest in ADAS systems than in fully autonomous vehicles. Cruise, an autonomous vehicles maker, faced a series of accidents and mistakes in California, leading to the indefinite suspension of their operations in the state. In other areas, public officials in cities like Austin, once enthusiastic about self-driving vehicles, have now opposed the idea of these vehicles operating without safety drivers. Additionally, drivers are undecided about whether fully driverless vehicles are desirable. Nearly half of US adults surveyed by Pew in 2022 expressed concerns that widespread use of driverless cars would have negative impacts on society.ADAS, on the other hand, has become increasingly popular. While some studies have indicated that these automated features could significantly reduce accidents and serious injuries, these potential benefits are only realized if the systems are not abused or misused. Independent testing of ADAS systems can compel carmakers to promptly address blind spots in their driver monitoring and attention safeguards, which could deter inappropriate use of the technology. At the same time, carmakers must thoughtfully consider the measures they take to enforce these safety standards in order to avoid alienating drivers who may feel uneasy about their cars collecting large amounts of potentially sensitive data. warm welcomes of self-driving vehicles, have pushed back against the idea of these vehicles operating without safety drivers. And drivers are still on the fence about whether or not fully driverless vehicles are even desirable. Almost half of US adults surveyed by Pew in 2022 said they thought widespread driverless cars would be bad for society.
ADAS, by contrast, has grown in popularity. And while some studies have suggested these automated features could meaningfully cut back on accidents and serious injuries, those proposed benefits only make a real difference if the systems aren’t being abused or misused. Independent testing of ADAS systems can pressure carmakers to quickly fix blind spots in their driver monitoring and attention safeguards, which could cut back on inappropriate uses of the technology. At the same time, carmakers will have to carefully consider the steps they take to enforce those safety standards to avoid alienating drivers who may feel uncomfortable with their cars collecting ever-greater amounts of potentially sensitive data about them.
