You Can’t Trust Your Car’s Driving Assistance System Yet, AAA Report Finds

Active driving aid systems seem to be a practical way to go from point A to point B., but you cannot yet trust them, according to the latest study by the American Automobile Association published Thursday.

AAA car engineers have put five cars with active driving aid systems. The systems, also known as traffic jam assistance, have been used to navigate intense traffic. The study revealed a dangerous data point: “notable events” (like people who cut your way) where the ADA system has failed to properly manage driving conditions every 3.2 miles, or every 9 minutes on average.

Here is what you need to know about the study and what the AAA recommends before using the ADA system of your car again.

AAA tests warn us not to fully trust the ADA systems

Practical systems force you to keep your hands on the steering wheel while the system is used. Meanwhile, intervention systems allow you to remove your hands from the steering wheel in most situations.

AAA engineers found two common “notable events” that ADA systems have not succeeded: when people cut in front of the vehicle, which forced the researcher to intervene 90% of the time; And a mediocre track center, where sensors and cameras of the system have not remained centered instead of drifting in other ways.

“The most common ADAS technology is today equivalent to the smarter versions of the cruise control and labor aid. There is a reason why these systems are known as technologies” Advanced Driver Assistance “: their objective is to help the driver, not to replace them”, explains CNET Senior Reporter and expert on electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles ATUAN GOODWIN.

The AAA noted that the engines of the practical ADA systems should intervene three times more often than those of the systems without expression. Hand off system drivers had to re-engage every 5.5 miles or every 15.3 minutes.

“Most of the ADAS systems that I have tested in the past decade, even the most recent, require that the driver remains committed and alerts and does not replace human decision -making,” said Goodwin. “Even assistance systems with the hands-off motorway as a super Cruise from GM, Ford Blue Cruise, Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot and the Tesla FSD will not work (or should not) operate without commitment from the driver.”

Should you use the driving system for driving your car?

The main thing is that ADA systems are not entirely ready to replace human driving and attention.

“Even if ADA systems can help in certain driving situations, they do not replace to pay attention to the wheel,” said Greg Brannon, director of car engineering research, in the AAA declaration. “What we have found is that drivers must really remain vigilant and reduce distractions, especially when things are busy on the road.”

Even if your ADA system seems impeccable, AAA recommends being ready to intervene and stay on the road. It is also better to read the manual of your ADA system to understand when and how to use it.

Goodwin points Tesla, who continues to find himself in hot water on how he markets “the automatic pilot” and “self-clarificed” because they are not fully autonomous driving systems. This “creates a disconnection between the real car / technology and customer expectations,” said Goodwin.

Tesla was earlier this month was partly responsible for a fatal accident where a driver used his automatic driver software when he collided with another car, and was ordered to pay $ 243 million in damages.

And in California, Tesla is currently in court for another case involving the automatic pilot, where the State DMV continues for allegations of false advertisements and misleading customers. The California DMV alleys that Tesla distorts the capacities of its advanced driver assistance systems by naming them “complete autonomous” and “automatic pilot” and is looking for a 30 -day suspension of the Tesla license to sell vehicles in the state.