Driver Assistance Systems and Distraction

Two recent studies have shown that safety systems like Volvo’s Pilot Assist and earlier versions of Tesla Autopilot lead to drivers paying less attention to the road. This distraction can manifest in various behaviors such as grooming, phone use, and other unsafe activities while driving. This happens as drivers figure out tricks to circumvent systems meant to keep them focused on the road ahead.

Understanding the Studies

One study recruited 29 volunteer drivers who piloted a 2017 Volvo S90 equipped with the Pilot Assist driver assistance system. Over three years, the system underwent various updates. Participants were grouped based on their experience with the system. The first group operated the initial Pilot Assist, which required them to keep their hands on the steering wheel. The second group received a lane-centering feature update, while the third group was given driver attention reminders. These groups primarily focused on highway driving, where the assistance systems were expected to perform optimally.

Key Findings

• The results indicated that drivers engaged in distracting visual-manual activities such as eating and using electronics, particularly when the Pilot Assist system was active.
• Distraction levels increased with more usage of the system, highlighting a rise in complacency and reduced road awareness.
• It was discovered that drivers were distracted over 30 percent of the time while the system was engaged.

A second study investigated a different group of 14 individuals with no prior experience using Tesla Autopilot or similar systems. These participants drove a 2020 Tesla Model 3 over 12,000 miles with Autopilot engaged. They triggered 3,858 attention-related warnings, suggesting significant engagement with the vehicle’s attention reminders.

Impact of Driver Behavior

With the second study, researchers noted a dramatic 26 percent increase in attention reminders per 1,000 miles traveled from the first to the fourth week, while escalations in warnings dropped significantly. Interestingly, as participants grew familiar with the attention reminders, they became increasingly distracted, often looking away from the road and taking their hands off the wheel when alerts ceased. This suggests that some drivers may attempt to circumvent system sensors.

Conclusion

According to IIHS Senior Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, “These results show that escalating, multimodal attention reminders are very effective in getting drivers to change their behavior. However, better safeguards are needed to ensure that the behavior change actually translates to more attentive driving.”