An insurance industry study published on Tuesday highlighted significant shortcomings in most electronic systems that assist with driving tasks. According to the study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), only one out of 14 partially automated systems tested received an overall 'acceptable' rating. The majority of systems were rated as 'poor,' with two others receiving a 'marginal' rating.
The IIHS President emphasized that these systems lack adequate measures to prevent misuse and ensure that drivers remain focused on the road. The institute introduced new ratings to encourage automakers to adhere to standards regarding driver monitoring and timely warnings if attention is diverted.
The study aims to address a regulatory gap left by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, urging the agency to establish clearer guidelines for these systems, which do not have the capability to drive vehicles autonomously.
Automakers closely follow IIHS safety ratings, often making adjustments to comply with the institute's recommendations. The study evaluated sophisticated systems from various manufacturers, including Lexus, General Motors, Nissan, Tesla, BMW, Ford, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.
The focus of the evaluation was on ensuring that drivers do not become overly reliant on these systems and remain attentive to the driving task. The study emphasized the importance of systems detecting if a driver's attention is diverted and issuing timely alerts to mitigate safety risks.
While none of the 14 systems fully met the driver monitoring requirements, some manufacturers, such as Ford, Lexus, and GM, were closer to compliance. Automakers are already responding to the study findings and planning software updates to enhance the effectiveness of their systems.
Several manufacturers, including Toyota, GM, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Genesis, and BMW, acknowledged the importance of IIHS ratings and expressed their commitment to improving their systems based on the study's recommendations.
Overall, the study underscores the need for enhanced driver monitoring and warning systems in partially automated driving technologies to ensure the safety of both drivers and other road users.
