Driving assistance: What you need to know

Close to nine out of every ten vehicles sold by dealerships are equipped with at least one active or passive driving-assistance system. That says a lot about advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which are designed to help motorists by doing things like improving visibility. It can be a struggle for consumers to know what’s what, with names like ProPilot, Distronic Plus, Super Cruise, PreSense Assist, and Active Safe, and the American Automobile Association (AAA) recently demanded a standardization of vocabulary. One thing’s for sure though: every one of these devices can help prevent collisions and save lives—if it’s used properly.

Motorists feel safe

Distracted driving is wreaking havoc on the highways. Driving assistance systems can make motorists feel so safe that their distracted-driving risk is doubled. And the systems, like the other high-tech devices surrounding us, are far from foolproof. You still have to keep your eyes on the road at all times. CAA-Quebec car expert Sylvain Légaré further reminds us that such technology may spell serious headaches for used-vehicle purchasers. “Ten years from now,” he says, “these systems might cause all kinds of problems—breakdowns, expensive repairs, related transmission and brake problems, and more.”

Do they work?

Used as they should be, advanced driving assistance systems can help prevent accidents and save lives. The non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a study showing that the more refined the systems, and the more they work together, the more they reduce material damage claims (up to 27%) and claims for injuries (up to 37%). Automatic emergency braking, which detects an imminent obstacle and alerts the driver, then stops or significantly slows down the vehicle if the driver doesn’t respond quickly enough, was also singled out.

Knowing how they work is the key

Like so many other types of technology, advanced driver assistance systems work better when they’re used properly. Your owner’s manual is your go-to guide for understanding their subtleties. The safe approach is to find out just how they work and what they can—and can’t—do. Does the cruise control adjust to any speed? Does the lane-changing system just beep, or does it get right in there and turn the steering wheel? The more you know about the ADAS in your car, the less you’ll be tempted to deactivate it for getting in your way.

The UPP method for avoiding distracted driving

Getting directions on your phone, changing the music on your onboard computer, struggling to make your voice commands understood—everything you do to make driving more comfortable can compromise your safety. Fortunately for you, the CAA-Quebec Foundation has developed the UPP method (Understand, Pair, Program) to make sure motorists are safe and comfortable. It encourages drivers to better understand how their vehicle infotainment systems work, pair their mobile devices so as to take advantage of useful applications, and program their onboard computers, before they hit the road. The UPP method is a great way to take advantage of onboard technology and still drive safely.

How about car insurance premiums?

It may seem strange, but having advanced driver assistance systems on your car doesn’t affect the cost of your insurance. The reason is simple: not all vehicles have them. “The improvements promised by these systems have only been delivered in part,” says CAA-Quebec Vice President, Insurance Suzanne Michaud. “Insurance companies are stuck with the cost of sophisticated, expensive equipment to repair and calibrate vehicles loaded with high-tech safety features—because vehicles without those systems crash into them.” Since Canadians drive their vehicles for an average of 10 years, you’d be better off looking at other ways to save on car insurance.