AAA Examines Dependability Of Driver Assistance Systems

traffic-safe2-13
traffic-safe2-13

Another round of AAA testing reveals more inconsistencies with the performance of driving assistance systems found in vehicles on the road today, resulting in crashes with a simulated car and a simulated bicyclist. AAA researchers released their findings this week. They say they tested the driver assist systems of three vehicles, the 2021 Subaru Forester, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, and the 2020 Tesla Model 3. Each has their own driver assistance technology. AAA says they combine the tasks of maintaining lane position, forward speed, and following distance behind the vehicle in front of them. The findings were mixed. AAA says the active driving assistance system successfully detected and braked when approaching a slower-moving vehicle or bicyclist in the same lane. However, all test vehicles collided head-on with the foam car when it was partially within the test car’s lane. Only one test vehicle significantly reduced speed before colliding on each run. A crash occurred 5 out of 15 test runs, or 33% of the time, when a cyclist crossed the travel lane in front of the test vehicle. AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland says any of those crashes could have been fatal. She says the study underscores the importance of drivers remaining engaged when behind the wheel, even if using an assistance program.