Are Smart Cars Making Roads Risky?
Cars have evolved spectacularly. Remember when the biggest upgrade was swapping from petrol to LPG? These days, vehicles come packed with technology. But, are all these advancements making roads safer or more hazardous?
Driver Monitoring Systems: A Double-Edged Sword
Driver monitoring systems (DMS) use cameras and sensors to make sure you’re paying attention. While this sounds good, it can be annoying. Some systems issue alerts for minor adjustments like altering cruise control or changing the radio station. It’s tough to stay focused when your car is constantly nagging you.
Touchscreen Temptation
New cars often come with touchscreens that are like home theatre systems. Navigation, music, and even social media are available at your fingertips. But this convenience can hurt safety since every tap takes your attention away from driving.
The Button Battle
Physical buttons are being pushed aside by touchscreens and voice commands. However, a Swedish study showed that physical buttons actually reduce the time drivers look away from the road. Because of this, some carmakers are sticking with physical buttons for essential controls.
Starting in 2026, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) will require simple buttons for important functions to give top safety ratings. This change will likely affect global safety standards, including in Australia.
Smartphone Integration: A Distraction?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supposed to make things safer by letting you use your phone hands-free. But instead of making things safer, they often encourage more interaction. The temptation to read a text or check a notification is always there, even with voice commands.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: Complacency Concerns
Lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are excellent. They help you stay in your lane and keep a safe distance. But these systems can create overconfidence. Drivers might think, “The car’s got this,” and pay less attention. ADAS can fail, and drivers need to be ready to take control. Complacency behind the wheel is a bad idea.
The Autonomous Dilemma
Fully autonomous vehicles are the next step, but they’re not ready. Autonomous systems still struggle with complex driving situations, and recent issues with Tesla’s Autopilot show that cars can’t do everything yet.
Interior Cameras: Privacy and Practicality
Interior cameras can help prevent drowsy or distracted driving. However, they also pose distractions. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s “Fam Cam” allows drivers to monitor back seats, but this can take drivers’ eyes off the road. Privacy is also a concern, such as when some Tesla employees shared private footage from the cars’ internal cameras.
Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
Technology has brought about significant safety improvements like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, highlighting the potential to reduce human error. The key is to find the right balance between innovation and driver responsibility. It’s still your job to drive the car, and not the other way around.
