Key facts
- Misuse of driver-assistance technology is the biggest risk to road safety, according to a survey.
- Distracting in-vehicle features are also a significant safety concern.
- Two-thirds of transport specialists believe advertising overstates the capabilities of driver-assistance systems.
- China is considering stricter regulations for advanced driver-assistance systems.
- A Swedish authority recommended against Tesla's supervised self-driving software rollout in Europe unless speed limit circumvention is disabled.
A survey of over 1,000 transport specialists indicates that the primary risks to road safety stem from drivers' misuse of advanced driver-assistance systems and distraction from in-vehicle features, rather than mechanical issues. The research, financed by Italian brake maker Brembo and conducted by Economist Enterprise, found that 30% of specialists identified human misunderstanding or misuse of driving assistance technology as the leading cause of mobility safety problems. Additionally, 24% highlighted increasingly distracting in-vehicle features as a safety risk.
Two-thirds of the surveyed professionals believe that advertising for these systems overstates their capabilities, leading to unrealistic user expectations. This sentiment aligns with growing concerns in various countries regarding the safety and regulation of automated driving technologies. In China, regulators are contemplating stricter oversight following a fatal crash involving a Xiaomi vehicle. In Europe, a Swedish transport authority has recommended against the continent-wide rollout of Tesla's supervised self-driving software unless the company disables its ability to exceed legal speed limits.
These findings come as governments consider tougher regulations for automated driving systems. Last month, a United Nations vehicle standards forum approved new rules for such systems. The survey also polled over 5,000 road users, 88% of whom expressed support for stricter road-safety measures, indicating public backing for enhanced regulation.