This survey is interesting because it highlights how perceptions of things like lane assistance or automated braking are interpreted by some drivers. Car software failing to detect recently changed speed limits is another annoyance, which could result in a ban or points on the licence. If the tech is at fault will future group claims – similar to PPI – be levelled at manufacturers and software suppliers for that faulty info?
The loss of control is a feeling that many humans find unsettling and scary, most visible in old age perhaps. But in a car old habits like steering, braking and setting a “safe” speed for the conditions is hard won knowledge, gained via expensive lessons and experience. People are not willing to trade all that finesse and control easily, and insurers would do well to bear that in mind as semi-autonomous vehicles gradually replace more 20th century tech cars and vans.
Here are findings from Tempcover;
Modern cars are now fitted with more automated safety features and digital touchscreens than ever before. To uncover how these systems impact everyday driving, new research from temporary car insurance experts Tempcover surveyed 2,000 UK motorists to find out how drivers are navigating an increasingly technology-driven driving experience.
Near Misses Behind the Wheel
Whilst these systems are designed to reduce risk on the road, nearly one in three drivers (30%) say they have experienced a near miss or dangerous situation caused by in-car technology – including nearly one in 10 (9%) who say it has happened multiple times.
When asked which single technology was responsible for their most recent near miss, drivers pointed to automated safety features:
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Forward Collision Warning / Automatic Emergency Braking was cited by one in five (20%) drivers.
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Lane Keeping Assist / Lane Departure Warning was named by 15% of motorists.
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Touchscreen dashboard controls were viewed as the primary cause by 12% of drivers.
Other features included pop-up dashboard notifications (8%) and Intelligent Speed Assistance warning chimes (7%).
Over a Third of Motorists Switching Off Safety Features
Over a third of motorists (37%) have switched off driver assistance features, with nearly one in five drivers (17%) manually turning them off every time they start their car because the features auto-reset, and a further 21% keeping them disabled permanently.
Lane Keeping Assist (51%) was the most widely disabled feature, followed by speed limit warning chimes (28%) and pop-up alerts for issues like tyre pressure and washer fluid (19%).
When asked why they disable these features, drivers pointed to consistent frustrations:
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51% said constant bleeps and chimes are stressful or distracting.
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40% disliked the car steering or braking without their direct input.
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35% said they experienced false warnings or unexpected braking when there was no actual danger.
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27% reported that systems displayed incorrect information, such as misreading speed limit signs.
Drivers Want Physical Controls Over Touchscreens
It seems this sentiment extends beyond safety features. Nearly two-thirds of drivers (62%) would like car manufacturers to bring back physical buttons and dials for essential functions like climate control and audio volume, with just 12% disagreeing – suggesting that the move towards fully digital interiors hasn’t yet won over the majority of drivers.
Despite the frustrations highlighted by the data, the majority of drivers (55%) believe modern in-car technology makes driving safer overall.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, adds:
“The data shows most drivers agree that in-car tech makes roads safer – and features like automatic emergency braking and lane assist are designed to do just that.
“At the same time, the data reveals that when drivers don’t feel confident using these systems, many switch them off – and a system that’s been disabled isn’t protecting anyone. Bridging that gap will take continued improvement, both in how these technologies develop and in how drivers learn to use them.
“That’s especially true when getting behind the wheel of an unfamiliar vehicle. Temporary car insurance makes it easy to borrow a friend or family member’s car legally, giving drivers the chance to experience different vehicles and their technology before committing to a purchase.”
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