Drivers warned pressing 'six buttons' in car is 'putting you at risk'
Petrol, diesel, and electric road users are switching off driver assistance technology, which road users find most annoying. Analysis from Direct Line found motorists are deactivating front and rear parking sensors, as well as other smart tech in motors.
Turning off the auto start/stop button topped the list of features turned off by road users, with at least 27 per cent doing so. Lane assist technology was deactivated by around 25 per cent of individuals, too, it has been warned.
One in five had turned off their front and rear parking sensors, and 18 per cent had removed speed limit detection warnings. Matt Pernet, Head of Motor Insurance at Direct Line, said: "Car manufacturers invest huge resources in developing technologies to make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable.
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"While it can be daunting to rely on unfamiliar technology, the features installed in cars undergo rigorous testing and help to keep our roads safer. Technologies like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), are safety systems that identify potential impact targets ahead, warning the driver by putting the brakes on to avoid a collision, have been shown to reduce car rear-end collisions by half."
The list included auto start and stop tech, as well as lane assistance, front and rear sensors, and speed limit detection systems. Driver drowsiness detection and blind spot alerts completed the list of the most annoying buttons.
Christian Sahr, head of the Allianz Centre for Technology (AZT), which commissioned the study for the 12th Allianz Motor Day, said: “What use are the best driver assistance systems if they are not switched on?
“It is therefore crucial that fleet operators and drivers receive comprehensive training on how to use these systems.” He added: “We estimate that one-third of the accidents we studied could have been avoided if the truck driver had been able to see other road users in time due to a direct line of sight or if the truck had been equipped with an active blind-spot assistant.”