Automakers should simplify driver-assist systems, Consumer Reports says

Driver-assist systems that lack user-friendliness not only cause drivers frustration, but it may diminish the system's safety benefits, according to Consumer Reports.

People confused by their driver-assist features might disregard them altogether.

"If they are not enjoyable to use in the car, if they're beeping at you incessantly, if they're doing things that are unexpected or confusing and you don't know why it's doing that, or how it's doing that, then not only is it confusing, but it can be annoying and frustrating," said Kelly Funkhouser, manager of vehicle technology at Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.

Consumer Reports issued guidance on easy-to-use advanced driver-assist systems controls and displays Dec. 13. The design suggestions are aimed at automakers and were inspired by their requests for the data, Funkhouser said.

The consumer safety organization in 2021 surveyed 35,250 owners of vehicles in 2015-22 model years. The survey focused on adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warnings, forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, as well as lane departure, lane keeping and lane-centering assistance systems. The study also considered active driver assistance, which is the simultaneous use of lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control.

Difficult-to-use safety systems may hinder safe driving, Funkhouser said. Unexpected beeping or unfamiliar symbols may distract a driver. A bad experience may cause the driver to disable the system. "If people are turning them off, any of those potential safety benefits that exist are gone," she said.

Rear crashes decreased by half in vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warnings, according to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Transportation and automakers.

Automakers should simplify and personalize the ADAS experience, according to Consumer Reports' guidelines. The system's name should be consistent throughout the vehicle, including the window sticker, manual and vehicle display, as well as online and in marketing tools. The systems should also be personalized, such as how quickly a lane-keeping system intervenes and the rate of acceleration or deceleration on an adaptive cruise control system.

The variety in system names comes down to branding and marketing, Funkhouser said, adding that automakers want their systems to stand out among their competitors.

That is why Consumer Reports and other safety advocates created the Clearing the Confusion initiative, which recommends a list of standardized names designed to help consumers understand safety systems. The report said anywhere between eight and 40 unique terms may exist per each type of system.

Consumer Reports recommended using the generic terms along with branding initiatives. Funkhouser said it helps consumers shop for vehicles that have systems they're looking for, which benefits manufacturers.

In many instances, many drivers aren't confident in how their systems work, the report said. For example, Consumer Reports found only 48 percent of owners with vehicles equipped with forward-collision warning say they understand how it works. Just 42 percent of owners of vehicles understood their vehicle's automatic emergency braking.

In-car explanations of how the systems work, as well as information about the warnings they give are recommended by Consumer Reports. It suggests providing this information in the vehicle's infotainment screen.