This common car feature could save lives – but drivers don’t want to use it

Cars are getting smarter. Today’s vehicles can automatically brake to avoid a rear-end collision , keep themselves centred in a lane, warn of hazards in blind spots and even maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.

Collectively known as advanced driver-assistance systems (or ADAS), these features have been shown to reduce crashes, injuries and insurance claims.

But there’s a problem: many drivers don’t want them.

In Australia, one in five motorists with cars equipped with these features have switched at least one of them off. In some countries, the figure is much greater.

These systems help prevent some of the most common and costly crashes on our roads. So why do so many drivers go out of their way to turn them off?

Why advanced driver-assistance systems matter

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