The IIHS conducted the study over several years, involving 29 participants. Researchers used two vehicles: a 2017 Volvo S90 with Pilot Assist and a 2020 Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot. Both cars require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel at all times. IIHS notes that the Volvo was updated twice during the study to make improvements to the system. Both require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel at all times.
Results showed an increase in manual activities like grooming, eating, and using cell phones when the driving assists were on. The study also revealed that drivers' behavior changed over time. As they got used to the systems, they did more distracting things and learned to minimally appease the alert systems.
IIHS President David Harkey explained the findings:
"These results are a good reminder of the way people learn. If you train them to think that paying attention means nudging the steering wheel every few seconds, then that's exactly what they'll do. In both these studies, drivers adapted their behavior to engage in distracting activities. This demonstrates why partial automation systems need more robust safeguards to prevent misuse."
Harkey also pointed out the potential risks of these systems:
"Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer. As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards."
The IIHS recommends that automakers implement stronger safeguards to prevent misuse and keep drivers focused. This aligns with their earlier evaluation of automakers' assist systems for driver monitoring and alerts. Out of 14 systems evaluated, only one (Lexus) received an "acceptable" rating, two were rated "marginal," and the rest were deemed "poor."
Source: IIHS