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As more vehicles roll off production lines equipped with driver assistance systems, research is questioning whether these technologies always make roads safer. A new large-scale study from Texas McCombs, along with the City University of Hong Kong and the University of Maryland has examined the long-term behavioral effects of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and found that not all features influence driving habits in the same way.
Analyzing driving data from nearly 200,000 vehicles sold in 2018 and 2019, researchers measured how two common ADAS features—blind spot detection and lane departure/forward collision warnings—impacted two types of risky driving behavior: hard braking and speeding.
The findings show a notable contrast in how drivers respond to these systems over time.
According to TechXplore, vehicles equipped with blind spot detection saw a clear reduction in risky behavior. Drivers of these vehicles braked hard 6.76% less and sped 9.34% less frequently than drivers in vehicles without the system. Moreover, the positive effect strengthened over time, with speeding declining by an additional 0.40% each month the system was used.
In contrast, vehicles with lane departure and forward collision warnings showed the opposite trend. Drivers in these vehicles engaged in 5.65% more hard braking and sped 5.34% more often. The negative impact also increased over time, with speeding rising by 0.32% monthly.
The researchers suggest that the difference lies in the type of driver thinking triggered by each system. Lane departure and forward collision warnings demand immediate action, leading to automatic, reactionary behavior—referred to in psychology as “System 1” thinking. This mode, while useful in emergencies, may discourage deeper learning or long-term behavior change.
By contrast, blind spot detection allows drivers time to assess and respond, encouraging “System 2” thinking—a more reflective and deliberate process that promotes better habits.
The study recommends that automakers consider how drivers psychologically process warnings. For example, delayed or repeated signals could promote deeper thinking and longer-term behavioral improvements.
As ADAS continues to evolve, understanding the subtle ways these systems shape driver behavior will be essential in improving both vehicle safety and driver responsibility.
The study, General Behavioral Impact of Smart System Warnings, appears in Production and Operations Management.
