Across generations, automobiles have grown markedly safer, largely thanks to driver assistance features that assist the driver in real-time. Yet this safety is not automatic; it depends on proper activation and understanding of how these systems function.
To genuinely bolster safety, many of these driver aids must be turned on and actively managed. Unfortunately, a surprising number of drivers are unsure about how these systems operate and end up leaving them off, undermining the very protection they purchased with their vehicle.
Consumer Reports has expressed concern about this gap in understanding and the resulting underutilization of safety technologies. The organization highlights how insufficient knowledge can translate into missed opportunities for protection on the road.
In numerous cases, misinterpretation or confusion can cause systems to disengage, effectively stripping the car of essential safety features. To address this, Consumer Reports has authored practical guidelines aimed at simplifying the use and benefits of safety and driver assistance technologies.
As stated by Jake Fisher, director of vehicle testing, steering wheels and control panels are crowded with unfamiliar symbols that drivers must interpret while navigating traffic. He notes that turning off these systems diminishes safety—benefits are then not realized by anyone on the road.
The Consumer Reports approach centers on improving three critical outcomes: understanding, acceptance, and satisfaction. In plain terms, it is about better information and clearer guidance for drivers.
Once a problem is identified, the next steps focus on how to train drivers and foster trust in electronic systems, so safety features operate as intended rather than become ignored as optional add-ons.
The study underlying these observations involved interviewing more than 35,000 car owners, providing a broad view of how people interact with modern safety technologies and where gaps in knowledge may lie.
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Participants are invited to take part in the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix vote, a survey designed to spotlight the year’s most notable car innovations. Your input helps identify which new features and designs stand out to drivers in real-world conditions.
As a token of appreciation for the time spent, three ferrets are offered as prizes in a random drawing among survey respondents. Eligible entries are those who complete the questionnaire before the stated deadline of late February 2023.