New research shows most Australian drivers are not yet confident using the advanced safety technology already built into many modern vehicles. While these features are designed to reduce crashes and make driving easier, many motorists are choosing not to switch them on.
The study was carried out by servicing and research company mycar. It found that about 76 per cent of drivers own a vehicle with advanced driver assist systems, also known as ADAS. These include features like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, brake assist and assisted parking. However, only around 30 per cent of drivers say they regularly use adaptive cruise or lane assist in the car they drive most.
Use drops even further for other features. Only 28 per cent of respondents say they have used brake assist, and just 22 per cent say they have used assisted parking.
Confidence and understanding remain key barriers
mycar head of technical transformation Tom Hatch says this gap is not due to the technology itself, but how drivers feel about it.
“The trust gap isn’t about capability, it’s about confidence and understanding,” he told CarExpert .
“Features like adaptive cruise control and lane assist are designed to make driving safer and less stressful, yet only around a third of drivers regularly use them.”
“These technologies can reduce the risk of collisions, manage fatigue, and improve efficiency, but uncertainty around how they work, and whether they can be trusted, is holding drivers back.”
Reluctance toward self-driving cars
The research also shows that many drivers are unsure about more advanced automation. Just 19 per cent of respondents say they would be comfortable using a fully autonomous vehicle for most or all their trips, even if the technology were legal and widely available.
Meanwhile, 40 per cent say they would not feel comfortable handing over full control of the vehicle.
Education seen as part of the solution
Mr Hatch says clearer driver education could help build confidence.
“Education is the missing link,” he told CarExpert. “Drivers need clear, accessible information about how these systems function in real-world conditions. That means going beyond the owner’s manual and making driver education an ongoing process.”
He pointed to the ADAS Guidance Service launched by Austroads earlier this year. The service aims to help drivers and licensing authorities better understand safety systems through fact sheets and explainer videos.
“By offering independent, practical guidance on how these systems work, initiatives like this help bridge the gap between innovation and adoption,” Mr Hatch said.
“This kind of support empowers drivers to use the latest technology correctly, and with confidence.”
mycar’s findings follow a recent AAMI study showing some drivers are switching off safety warnings they feel are too sensitive. Research in the Netherlands also found that adaptive cruise control can sometimes increase crash risk when not used correctly.
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