Driver-assist technology is everywhere now. From adaptive cruise control to lane-centering systems, many newer vehicles come equipped with features designed to make driving easier and safer. But there’s a growing concern among safety experts: partial automation may actually lead some drivers to pay less attention—not more.
A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that drivers using partial driving automation systems were more likely to become disengaged from the driving task after they got comfortable relying on the technology. In other words, once drivers trusted the system, they tended to “check out” more often.
That’s a serious issue—especially when distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of preventable crashes.
What the IIHS Study Found
Researchers from the IIHS and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) tracked the driving behavior of 20 volunteer drivers in Massachusetts over a month-long period.
Participants were split into two groups and given temporary access to vehicles with modern driver-assistance technology:
- Range Rover Evoque with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Volvo S90 with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) plus Pilot Assist
These systems are designed to help with tasks like:
- Maintaining a safe following distance
- Adjusting speed automatically based on traffic
- Helping the vehicle stay centered within a lane
- Reducing the workload during highway driving
But what they’re not designed to do is replace a driver’s judgment or attention.
Understanding Partial Driving Automation (Levels 0–5)
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines six levels of driving automation, which have been widely adopted as the standard in the U.S.
Here’s the simplified version:
- Level 0: Fully manual driving
- Level 1: Driver assistance (example: adaptive cruise control)
- Level 2: Partial automation (example: lane centering + adaptive cruise control)
- Level 3–5: Increasing levels of automation, up to fully autonomous driving
Most vehicles on the road today fall into Level 1 or Level 2, meaning the system may assist with steering or speed, but the driver is still responsible for:
- Staying alert
- Keeping hands ready
- Watching the road
- Reacting to hazards
- Avoiding collisions
Drivers Became More Disengaged Over Time
One of the most important findings from the study wasn’t what drivers did on day one—it was what happened after they became comfortable.
At the beginning of the study, there was little difference in driver engagement. But after about a month of using partial automation features:
Drivers were more than 12 times as likely to remove their hands from the steering wheel compared to driving without assistance.
That’s a major increase in risky behavior—especially since these systems can still struggle with real-world driving situations.
IIHS Senior Research Scientist Ian Reagan, the lead author of the study, explained that: “Drivers were more than twice as likely to show signs of disengagement after a month of using Pilot Assist compared with the beginning of the study.”
The effect was more noticeable in the Volvo group—suggesting that the more “help” the system provides, the more likely some drivers are to over-trust it.
Why Driver-Assist Features Can Create a False Sense of Security
Driver-assist technology works well in many situations, especially on clear highways with visible lane markings. But the real world isn’t always that clean.
These systems can still struggle with:
- Construction zones and lane shifts
- Poor weather (snow, fog, heavy rain)
- Faded lane markings
- Sharp curves and hills
- Sudden stopped traffic
- Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles
- Unexpected driver behavior around you
And when a driver is mentally checked out—even for a few seconds—the risk of a crash increases dramatically.
Fatal Crashes Have Involved Driver Disengagement
The study also pointed to a troubling pattern: investigations into fatal crashes involving partial automation often find driver disengagement as a major factor.
As Ian Reagan noted: “Crash investigators have identified driver disengagement as a major factor in every probe of fatal crashes involving partial automation we’ve seen.”
That doesn’t mean the technology itself is always to blame—but it does reinforce the point that driver-assist is not self-driving, and treating it like it is can have devastating consequences.
The Push for Better Driver Monitoring
Because partial automation can encourage drivers to relax too much, researchers and safety experts have emphasized the need for more advanced monitoring systems to keep drivers engaged.
That may include:
- Steering wheel hand-detection systems
- Driver-facing cameras to monitor eye movement
- Alerts when drivers look away too long
- Escalating warnings if the driver fails to respond
- Automatic system shutdown if the driver is unresponsive
Ultimately, safety advocates want systems that help prevent the dangerous assumption that the car can “handle everything.”
Distracted Driving Is Still Negligence—Even With Driver Assist
A common misconception is that if a vehicle has driver-assist features, the driver is less responsible. That’s not how the law works.
Even with adaptive cruise control or lane-centering features active, drivers are still expected to operate their vehicle responsibly. If someone causes a crash because they were:
- Looking at their phone
- Watching a video
- Eating or reaching for something
- Turning around to talk to passengers
- Driving with hands off the wheel
- Trusting automation instead of paying attention
…they can still be held accountable for the harm they caused.
Further Reading: Thanksgiving DUI Accidents
Contact Our Colorado Springs Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Today
Have you or a loved one been injured by the negligent actions of a driver? Are you concerned you won’t have the money to pay medical bills and lost expenses? If so, you need an experienced Colorado Springs attorney on your side to help you fight for justice.
Contact the dedicated attorneys at the Schofield & Green Law Firm, P.C. today by calling (719) 694-8515, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case.
