Can these car safety features lead to an accident?
To make driving safer, car manufacturers have implemented safety features in newer vehicles meant to protect people and reduce the risks of accidents. However, positive intentions don’t always result in positive outcomes. Some of these safety features may cause accidents rather than prevent them. Knowing these features and how they could fail can help you understand how to use them effectively and reduce your risk of getting in a crash.
What manufacturers don’t want you to know
Car manufacturers often highlight the benefits of these safety features, but not all disclose their potential drawbacks. That’s why it’s important to understand both the benefits and limitations of these technologies. Knowledge is power, and having good information can help you make better driving decisions.
Some of these systems that could potentially lead to accidents include:
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is designed to maintain a set distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. It can be a convenient tool on longer drives. However, it can also lead to complacency. If you rely too heavily on ACC, your reaction time could be delayed if you encounter a sudden hazard on the road. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that drivers using ACC were more likely to speed, increasing the risk of accidents.
Lane keeping assistance
Lane keeping assistance systems can help keep your car within its lane by gently steering it back when you drift. However, overreliance on this feature can lead to inattentive driving. While these systems can be effective, they are not always consistent. If you assume the car will always correct itself, you may be unprepared for unexpected lane changes, such as those caused by road debris or construction.
Automatic emergency braking systems
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is meant to help prevent collisions by applying brakes when your vehicle detects an obstacle. However, automatic emergency braking systems may not detect all obstacles, particularly those that are stationary or low to the ground. It is, therefore, essential to remain vigilant and not solely depend on AEB to manage braking.
Distracting dashboard features
Many modern cars come with feature-rich dashboards. These dashboards can offer a range of safety functions like dashcams and vehicle tracking systems. While they’re meant to encourage driver safety, they can also be distracting. Navigating through multiple menus or adjusting settings can take your eyes off the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Protect yourself by understanding the limitations of these features.
Car safety features represent a significant advancement in automotive technology, offering numerous benefits to enhance road safety; however, these tools are there to assist you, not replace your judgment as a driver. If you are hurt in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence or misuse of these systems, seeking legal counsel can be a crucial step in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.