Appropriate Cruise Control encourages speed, new study finds

Drivers go faster and faster when using variable control, possibly weakening the potential safety benefits of the feature. When speed drivers choose to “settle and forget,” many choose one that is above the limit, essentially automatically abusing.

These are the main findings of a new study that showed when drivers use variable circuit control (ACC) or partial automation that combines that feature with series centralization than when they are not using the second some technology, they are much more likely to speed.

The study was published Thursday by the Insurance Institute for Road Safety, a nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry.

“The ACC has some safety benefits, but it is important to consider how drivers could offset these benefits by abusing the system,” said Sam Monfort, a statistician for the Institute of Safety. Insurance and lead author of the paper, in a statement. “Distance impact is one of the most important factors in whether or not an accident is fatal.”

Variable cruise control is a more advanced version of traditional trip control that uses sensors to measure and maintain a pre-selected distance from the vehicle ahead, the group said. safety, which eliminates the need for the driver to brake and reset the system. When surface centrifugation is added, the vehicle also automatically maintains its position within the travel sequence.

Earlier research and analysis have shown that some marine control issues may alter the risk of an accident. For example, these systems typically maintain a greater following speed at their default settings than most human drivers, which appears to reduce the frequency of passing and other changes. in rows.

However, systems on the market today, the study noted, do not prevent drivers from setting speeds in excess of the legal limit, and require regular guidance from the driver. as they are unable to drive some common road features and drive conditions.

For the current study, researchers did not analyze real-world accidents, but instead evaluated the behavior of 40 drivers from the Boston metro area over four weeks. Drivers were provided with a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque with adjustable cruise control or equipped with a 2017 Volvo S90 equipped with variable cruise control and Pilot Assist, a partial automation system that combines adaptive marine control with series centralization.

The results showed that drivers were 24% more likely to drive over the speed limit on roads with limited access when these systems were switched on. “They also exceeded the speed limit when speeding when using driver support features compared to driving by hand,” according to the study.

Users of cruise control and partial automation were found to have about a 10% increased risk of fatal accident, the safety group said, noting that it used a common formula for quantifying probable accident outcomes. However, the report also said more research was needed to fully understand the impact of technology on safety.

“Faster driving is more dangerous,” said Monfort. “You can’t argue with physics.”

To learn more about the study, click here.