Summary
- IIHS studies show that partial automated driving systems can lead to distracted driving behaviors
- Familiarity with systems like Pilot Assist and Autopilot led to increased distractions
- Drivers exhibited distracting behaviors like eating and using electronics with Pilot Assist
- Tesla Autopilot users learned to avoid system alerts and engaged in distracting activities
- IIHS researchers emphasize need for better safeguards to ensure attentive driving
Article
A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that partial automated driving systems, such as Volvo’s Pilot Assist and Tesla’s Autopilot, can actually increase the likelihood of drivers engaging in distracted driving behaviors. The study focused on how drivers adapted to these systems over time and found that as drivers became more familiar with the technology, they became more complacent and engaged in distracting activities such as eating, grooming, and using electronics. IIHS President David Harkey emphasized the importance of understanding how people learn and how training can influence their behavior on the road.
The first study conducted by IIHS analyzed the driving behavior of 29 volunteers using a 2017 Volvo S90 sedan with Pilot Assist over a four-week period. The second study tracked 14 drivers who had never used Tesla Autopilot before as they drove a 2020 Tesla Model 3. One key finding was that drivers in the Tesla Autopilot group quickly learned how to avoid triggering the system’s alerts and engaged in distracting activities even when the system prompted them to pay attention. This behavior persisted even though Tesla explicitly states that Autopilot is a hands-on system.
IIHS Senior Research Scientist Ian Reagan noted that drivers in both groups became more complacent the longer they used the partial automated driving systems. Drivers in the Pilot Assist group were seen engaging in distracting activities more frequently while using the system than when driving without it. Similarly, drivers in the Autopilot group were observed to have both hands off the wheel and be engaged in nondriving activities when the system prompted them to pay attention.
The study’s results prompted IIHS Senior Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller to suggest that better safeguards are needed to ensure that drivers remain attentive when using partial automated driving systems. The study found that drivers responded to attention reminders but were still able to engage in distracting activities once the alerts stopped. Mueller emphasized the need for measures to ensure that drivers maintain focus on the road even as they become more comfortable with the technology. The findings serve as a reminder of the challenges associated with integrating automated driving systems into everyday driving.
Overall, the IIHS study highlights the complex relationship between drivers and partial automated driving systems. As drivers become more familiar with these technologies, they may become more prone to engaging in distracted driving behaviors. The study’s findings underscore the need for ongoing research and development of safeguards to ensure that drivers remain attentive and focused on the road while using automated driving systems. By gaining a better understanding of how drivers adapt to these technologies, car manufacturers and regulators can work towards developing solutions that prioritize safety and minimize the risk of distraction on the road.
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