Safety features in cars such as lane-keeping assistance and reversing cameras or sensors are being switched off by drivers, because they find them annoying, new research suggests.
A survey, commissioned by the road safety charity Brake and insurance firm Axa UK, found that 41% of drivers have turned off features in their car designed to keep them safe.
The study also found that, although the majority (82%) of drivers surveyed consider the safety rating to be an important factor when choosing a new car, only 36% know for certain what safety features their car has.
Ross Moorlock, interim CEO at Brake, said: “Technology is changing, the world is changing, so it is vital that safety is the primary factor in all decision-making about the future of road travel.
“It is clear that people want themselves, their families and their communities to be safe on the roads.
“It is also clear that advanced vehicle technology can play a significant role in improving road safety and prevent a great number of families and communities from needless suffering.”
The research focused on a range of safety features that have been mandatory for all new vehicles in Europe since July 2022, including intelligent speed assistance, automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.
Drivers were asked about safety features in their own car, whether they ever switch them off, and, if so, why? Almost half (46%) said they prioritise safety features when buying a new car, yet 41% said they had switched off at least one safety feature, mostly because they find it annoying.
A new report – ‘Vehicle safety systems and the future of driving’ – released today (Thursday, December 14) by Brake and Axa UK, highlights a worrying lack of knowledge about the latest vehicle technology.
Both the road safety charity and the insurer are calling for robust legislation mandating assistive driving technology in all new vehicles, in line with Europe.
Moorlock said: “We urge the Government to look at the evidence, listen to the overwhelming call for safety, and follow Europe’s lead by making these safety features mandatory for all new vehicles in Britain.”
They are also calling for a new public awareness and education campaign to help people understand the safety benefits of technology that is already available, and for vehicle sellers and manufacturers to take responsibility for educating people when they purchase vehicles.
Nick Reed, founder of Reed Mobility, said: “The research undertaken by Brake and Axa UK is vital in building our understanding of vehicle safety systems, how they work, and which features are the most desirable.
“This can inform regulators, system designers, automotive marketing and driver training in developing approaches that maximise the use – and therefore the benefit – of these safety technologies.
"In doing so, it positively supports progress towards a vision in which no-one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
The report also recommends that safety is at the heart of new self-driving legislation within the Automated Vehicles Bill, which is to be brought in during 2024.
Axa UK strongly supports innovation in self-driving technology, which it believes has the potential to improve road safety.
Jon Walker, Axa UK’s commercial CEO, explained: “As a leading motor insurer, road safety is incredibly important to us and we believe technology has the potential to significantly reduce collisions and make our roads safer.
“It is therefore worrying to see so many people switching off features on their cars that are designed to keep them safe.
“In other European countries, these features are mandatory so we urge the Government to put safety at the heart of its roads policy and ensure the public fully understands the benefits this technology can offer.”
More articles on:
On the final Friday of every month (at 10am), a guest panel of 4-5 fleet decision-makers - plus a sponsor - will dissect with Fleet News the biggest news announcements and industry topics of the month in a new webinar series, looking at what each means for fleets, how they need to react/are reacting.
Diary dates for 2024 and links to book your free places on each webinar:
January 26 | February 23 | March 22 | April 26 | May 31 | June 28 | July 26 | September 27 | October 25 | November 29 | December 13
Sponsored by
Sign up to the webinar
Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
WilliamsM - 14/12/2023 10:41
The range of safety features on modern cars is incredible and there is no doubt that they help to keep road users safe however it is important to educate drivers that while these systems "assist", the driver should not become complacent and allow their focus to be taken away from what is happening on the road, leaving responsibility with the vehicle's ADAS. These systems are amazing but not perfect. The driver still has an important part to play.