Engineers design Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) to make driving safer, but recent traffic crash data shows they may pose safety risks. This is especially the case for drivers who have not received behind-the-wheel training on the best strategies for using ADAS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released 10 months of crash data showing that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are connected to hundreds of collisions. Reported with these crashes, six people died and five were seriously injured.
One of the chief concerns is that ADAS systems give drivers a false sense of security. Believing that ADAS will manage many aspects of driving, they may pay less attention to issues such as road hazards and surrounding traffic. Plus, the technology still regularly struggles with failure points.
For fleet managers, providing training can lower the risk of ADAS-related problems. For the past 2 years, Driving Dynamics has been preparing fleet drivers to safely understand and use this vehicle technology. Drivers trained in what these systems can and cannot do are better prepared to use them properly when on the road. As part of its award-winning, driver training solutions for fleets, Driving Dynamics offers online training focused on the proper use of ADAS.
The NHTSA information on ADAS-related crashes came from data collected under an NHTSA-issued Standing General Order that required automakers to report crashes involving vehicles equipped with ADAS.
One of the standout findings in the report involved Tesla’s Full Self Driving mode. The NHTSA reported 273 crashes involving the system, or any of its associated component features. Five crashes included a fatality, according to the New York Times.
In a news release about the crash data, Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s Administrator, said, “New vehicle technologies have the potential to help prevent crashes, reduce crash severity and save lives.” However, the release noted that drivers must remain engaged when using ADAS systems because while these systems support drivers, they do not automate driving tasks.
Training can help drivers learn about ADAS, an important strategy for fleets. However, most drivers do not receive training. A AAA study that focused on older drivers provided some insight: drivers who received training on how to use ADAS systems performed better than those who figured it out on their own.
Driving Dynamics offers ADAS safety courses that help drivers learn how to use ADAS systems as well as understand the limitations. The training operates under the belief that while ADAS can make drivers safer, benefits of the system depend on the driver and their level of learning in how to operate these systems.
The key objectives in the courses include teaching drivers to understand ADAS activation triggers, the proper use of the systems and the challenges involved. The training emphasizes that ADAS systems do not reduce the importance of driver decisions and control of the vehicle. Drivers also learn the potential dangers of becoming overly confident in ADAS systems.
Driving Dynamics offers six online training modules that fleet managers can audit for free for a limited time to experience how they can help improve their drivers behind the wheel abilities.
With ADAS systems becoming commonplace in more vehicles than ever, it’s important that drivers understand their uses and limitations. High quality training programs help fleet managers attain that goal, improving both fleet safety and risk management.