The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), responsible for rating car safety, recently examined advanced driver assistance systems like Tesla Autopilot and found significant shortcomings, following CNN's report.
These systems use various sensors and technologies to aid drivers in maintaining their lanes and avoiding collisions. Although they mainly function on highways, some allow hands-free driving, emphasizing the need for constant driver attention.
Out of the 14 systems assessed, 11 received a "poor" rating, including Tesla's Autopilot feature. In fact, this is not Tesla's first case of poorly-rated designs as attested by a cyber truck crashing earlier this year, according to VCPost.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also stated that only Cadillac's Super Cruise scored well for genuinely hands-free highway driving.
IIHS President David Harkey expressed concerns about partial automation, citing the risk of accidents due to inadequate safeguards. The absence of federal regulations prompted IIHS to conduct these evaluations, aiming to encourage safer implementations by automakers and increase consumer awareness.
However, more than cars and Tesla's autopilot feature, the evaluation also gave rise to deficiencies in ensuring driver attentiveness across all systems. The Institute tested response mechanisms for emergencies, revealing disparities in system effectiveness.
Despite varying safety ratings, some automakers market features deemed unsafe, like automatic lane changes without driver confirmation, further highlighting the importance of standardized safety measures in advanced driver assistance systems.
While manufacturers continue to develop these technologies, the IIHS stresses the need to disable them when essential safety features are inactive. This ensures a safer driving experience for all motorists.
Out of all the mentioned cars with advanced driver assistance systems, only Ford and Tesla have responded to IIHS findings with ongoing efforts to improve safety features. Meanwhile, the IIHS will closely monitor system updates and periodically retest to ensure continued improvements.
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