Tesla (TSLA) and Ford Motor (F) have received "poor" grades in a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that evaluated driver-assistance systems, casting doubts on the safety benefits of such technologies. The study tested 14 systems and found that 11, including those from Tesla and Ford, lacked adequate measures to keep drivers engaged with the driving process. The IIHS concluded that most of these systems do not have sufficient safeguards to prevent driver inattention, despite the convenience they offer for long drives. Only Toyota Motor’s Lexus brand (7203) received an "acceptable" rating for its Teammate feature on the LS sedan. Meanwhile, General Motors’ GMC Sierra pickup (GM) and Nissan Motor’s Ariya electric SUV received "marginal" ratings.
The study's findings are significant as they come at a time when car manufacturers are increasingly incorporating partially automated driving systems into their vehicles. These systems, which control steering and speed and sometimes allow hands-free driving, are not fully autonomous and require driver vigilance. The IIHS examined how these systems monitor driver attention and their effectiveness in issuing reminders and interventions if a driver becomes inattentive. The results indicate that many vehicles equipped with driver-assistance features may pose new risks if drivers become overly reliant on them.
Market Overview:
-IIHS Study Finds Most Driver-Assistance Systems Lack Safety Measures: Only one system received an "acceptable" rating, raising concerns about driver misuse.
-Tesla, Ford Receive Poor Grades: Popular features like Autopilot and BlueCruise deemed insufficient in preventing driver inattentiveness.
-Calls for Stronger Safeguards: IIHS urges automakers to prioritize features that keep drivers engaged and focused on the road.
Key Points:
-Worrying Results: The IIHS study found only one out of 14 driver-assistance systems met their safety standards, raising concerns about potential misuse by drivers.
-Tesla's Autopilot Under Fire: Tesla, a leader in driver-assistance technology, received a poor rating due to insufficient safeguards against driver distraction in its Autopilot system.
-Ford's BlueCruise Falters: Ford's BlueCruise system, which allows for hands-free driving in certain conditions, also received a poor rating for similar reasons.
-Safety Advocates React: The IIHS findings highlight safety concerns about driver-assistance technology and the potential for misuse.
-Regulators and safety advocates may push for stricter standards.
-Automaker Response: While Tesla has remained silent, Ford acknowledged the need for improvement based on the IIHS study.
Looking Ahead:
-Automakers Face Pressure to Improve Technology: Safety advocates and regulators may push for stricter standards and better monitoring systems.
-Tesla and Others Respond: While Tesla remains silent, Ford acknowledges the need for improvement based on IIHS findings.
-NHTSA Scrutiny Continues: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's investigation into driver-assistance technology remains ongoing.
Tesla's Autopilot and Ford's BlueCruise systems, both of which were rated poorly, have been under scrutiny. Ford responded to the findings by emphasizing the safety features in its BlueCruise system and expressed disagreement with the IIHS results, though the company said it would consider the findings in future updates. Tesla, which did not respond to requests for comment, has faced challenges with its Autopilot system, leading to a software update to enhance driver attention alerts following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation.
This IIHS report adds to the ongoing discussions about the safety of advanced driver-assistance systems. The NHTSA, currently investigating several automakers for potential safety issues with such technology, has proposed new standards, including mandating automatic emergency braking. The study’s implications are far-reaching, impacting not only automakers but also regulatory approaches and consumer perceptions of driver-assistance technologies. As automakers continue to advance these systems, balancing innovation with safety will be crucial to ensure both the efficacy and trustworthiness of partially automated vehicles.
