New research has revealed that one in five Australian drivers turn off safety features in their vehicles, including automatic emergency braking and lane assist systems. The findings show that while advanced safety features are widely available, many drivers are unsure how to use them or choose to ignore them, which could reduce their intended safety benefits.
The report, called the 2025 AAMI Crash Index, is based on more than 480,000 insurance claims and a national survey exploring driver attitudes towards in-car technology. While many vehicles now come equipped with high-tech safety tools, AAMI found that a significant portion of drivers are choosing not to use them.
According to AAMI Motor Prevention Manager Mary Kennedy, “In-car safety features are designed to support drivers and reduce the risk of crashes. Understanding how they work is important for improving safety outcomes.”
Most Common Features Turned Off
The most commonly disabled features were lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, with 45 per cent of drivers turning them off. Adaptive cruise control and parking assist were each turned off by 17 per cent of drivers, while 16 per cent chose to disable automatic emergency braking. Forward collision warning was turned off by 11 per cent.
Among those who disabled these features, 69 per cent said they found the technology too sensitive, annoying, or distracting. Another 23 per cent believed they did not need these systems, while 13 per cent said they did not trust the technology.
AAMI’s claims data also confirmed that nose-to-tail crashes remain the most common type of collision, with afternoons being the most likely time for accidents to occur. Fridays continue to be the day with the highest number of incidents.
ADAS Features Linked to Fewer Accidents
Vehicles fitted with ADAS, particularly those with autonomous emergency braking, were found to be less likely to be involved in crashes compared to vehicles without these features. This supports wider industry research on the effectiveness of advanced safety technology.
More than half of Australian drivers (59 per cent) agreed that safety features help reduce the frequency and severity of accidents.
What Drivers Want in Safer Vehicles
When asked about the most important safety features when purchasing a new or used vehicle, drivers listed reverse cameras, blind spot detection, parking assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control as top priorities.
“For more than 30 years, the AAMI Crash Index has provided data to help drivers make informed decisions,” said Ms Kennedy. “This year’s report continues to highlight the value of safe driving practices and the role technology can play in supporting road safety.”
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