PostedAugust 18, 2022, 10:42 PM
TrafficWhen the systems supposed to help us make us assisted
Assistance systems, present in many cars, improve road safety, but have negative effects on our driving skills, according to an expert.
More and more vehicles have assistance systems. For example an emergency brake assistant or a distance regulator.
Photo: Getty Images
Many cars on Swiss roads now have assistance systems that make driving safer and less painful (see box). From 2024, different systems will even be mandatory for new cars. Road safety should thus be further improved.
But these technologies do not only bring benefits, denounces Markus Deublein, traffic expert at the Bureau of Accident Prevention (BPA). “We see comfort-related driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, as particularly problematic. Because of them, you lose the routine of conventional car driving, that is to say without assistance. And according to him, you get used to it too quickly.
Awareness of new drivers and regulars
The problem would be further aggravated with the technical progress of the systems. “The less the driver has to intervene, the less able he is to react in an emergency situation.” This is why Markus Deublein calls for “awareness of the limits of assistance systems, both for new drivers and experienced motorists.” And according to him, driving without assistance systems must be practiced regularly.
A huge safety benefit
So do assistance systems bring more dangers than safety on the road? “No, safety systems such as emergency braking assistance considerably increase road safety,” the BPA expert points out. Indeed, if they were installed in every vehicle, there would be more than 50% fewer serious accidents, he notes.
The TCS also underlines the enormous advantage of assistance systems in terms of safety. Unfortunately, they are often met with scepticism, says spokesman Daniel Graf. All of this would take a little time: “Today no one would question whether seat belts, airbags or ABS and traction control make driving safer.”
What are assistance systems?
Assistance systems are divided into two categories. On the one hand, there are the active safety systems that are not noticed in everyday life. They only intervene in an emergency. For example, if a child suddenly rushes onto the road, they initiate emergency braking. On the other hand, there are comfort systems that constantly help you perform your driving task. These include, for example, lane keeping systems or distance regulators on the motorway. For the latter, it is important to know the limits of the system and to always be ready to resume the task of driving spontaneously despite the comfort.
(nme/ofu)