Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), designed to make cars safer, could in some cases encourage more dangerous driving, according to new research from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.
The study, led by Associate Professor Ashish Agarwal, examined data from nearly 196,000 vehicles sold in 2018 and 2019. Some were fitted with ADAS features such as blind spot detection and lane departure or forward collision warnings, while others were not. By analysing trips, speeds, and braking patterns, the researchers assessed whether these systems change driver behaviour over time.
Their findings reveal a split effect. Cars with blind spot detection showed a 6.76 per cent reduction in hard braking events and a 9.34 per cent drop in speeding compared with vehicles without the technology. In contrast, lane departure and forward collision warnings were linked to a 5.65 per cent rise in hard braking and a 5.34 per cent increase in speeding.
The effects intensified with longer use: drivers grew safer with blind spot detection, speeding less each month, but riskier with lane departure warnings, speeding more over time.
Agarwal attributes the difference to how drivers process information. Blind spot detection allows time for deliberate decision-making, encouraging safer habits. Lane departure alerts, however, trigger snap reactions that can promote risk-taking and overreliance on technology.
“Our objective is to give feedback to automakers,” Agarwal said.
“When designing these features, they need to be aware that in some cases, they may make behaviours worse.”
The researchers suggest carmakers could mitigate risks by adjusting how warnings are delivered, encouraging drivers to engage in slower, more deliberate thinking.
The findings highlight a paradox: while technology can enhance safety, poorly designed alerts risk undermining the very behaviours they are meant to protect.
An interesting youtube about the study can be seen here