Drivers are likely to shut off EU-mandated safety features in new cars because they are too distracting, according to new research.
Half of in-car driver monitoring systems are so intrusive that they are likely to be turned off, thus defeating the point of having them, What Car? magazine found.
Mandated by EU laws, such systems are supposed to prevent drivers from becoming distracted from the road ahead. Cameras and other sensors detect if the driver is not paying attention and issue audio and visual alerts.
Although these EU rules do not currently apply to the UK, carmakers include the systems anyway on new vehicles because it is cheaper than redesigning their models to remove them.
Under Labour’s plans for closer alignment with the EU, the UK could formally adopt these EU car safety rules, which also make it mandatory for private vehicles to be fitted with breathalyser technology.
During tests around a 10-mile track, the consumer magazine tested six new cars fitted with EU-compliant anti-distraction technology.
It discovered that systems from Chinese carmakers Leapmotor and MG were the worst for issuing false distraction alerts, something it said would encourage drivers to disable them before setting off.
In contrast, the magazine’s reviewers praised Mazda’s anti-distraction technology for working “seamlessly”, and also gave positive feedback about Lexus and Kia.
Tests involved driving one lap normally, with the driver keeping their eyes on the road ahead. On the second lap, the driver performed four “distracted driving” actions: they looked across at the infotainment screen; leaned towards the infotainment screen; looked out of the driver’s side window; and looked downwards into their lap. Each distracted move was carried out for three seconds.
Leapmotor’s C10 electric SUV generated three false audio and visual warnings during the first lap while detecting just two out of the four distracted movements.
MG’s HS system generated two false alerts on the first lap, although it correctly picked up all four distractions on the second lap.
Claire Evans, consumer editor of What Car?, called on safety testing body Euro NCAP to “penalise” carmakers whose systems generated false alarms, potentially themselves causing a distraction to motorists.
“A well-engineered driver monitoring system is an important safety aid that should help to stop drivers from becoming dangerously distracted by focusing on the infotainment touchscreen for too long, and from breaking the law by using a handheld mobile phone,” said Ms Evans.
“Car safety organisation Euro NCAP also needs to introduce far more stringent testing of these systems, penalising those that are poorly integrated into cars instead of simply rewarding manufacturers for including the technology.”
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “This technology has the potential to save us from ourselves, but car designers have a duty not just to create such safety systems but also reduce the amount of in-car distraction that takes drivers’ eyes off the road and hence sets off the alerts.
“Many of us will have spent too much time fiddling with, and focussing on, a touchscreen on the centre console when we should have been looking out of the windscreen at the road ahead.
“Ultimately though, drivers should be aware of their responsibilities without relying on the tech to tell them: don’t drink and drive, don’t drive while holding a phone, don’t get behind the wheel while tired, and let your passenger change the music.”
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