Fleets regard collision avoidance as the most valuable safety tool within advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for company cars, according to new research by Arval.

Fleets want ADAS technology to help drivers maintain concentration and to help stop collisions

More than a third (35%) of UK businesses surveyed picked collision avoidance as the top feature, closely followed by a cluster of technology that includes automatic emergency braking (30%), pedestrian detection (30%), driver fatigue warning (28%) and lane departure warning (27%). In comparison, only a fifth of respondents referenced adaptive cruise control (21%) and automatic parking (19%).

The research forms part of the 2024 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer, which questioned 8,605 businesses in 30 countries about their vehicle operations.

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “In 2023, a raft of ADAS systems became compulsory across the EU and so have become standard fitment on cars in the UK too, meaning that fleet experience of this technology is increasing.

“In the light of this, it’s interesting that the top answer in our research – collision avoidance systems – is not one of these standard fitments and remains the preserve of more upmarket models. It appears that fleet managers would like to see it offered much more widely and believe that the technology has very real value.”

Sadlier also noted that the other top choices all reflect a similar desire to stop drivers being involved in accidents due to a lack of attention – automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver fatigue warning and lane departure warning.

“Those that are more based around convenience – cruise control and automatic parking – are at the bottom of the list.

“It’s clear the number one outcome that fleets want from ADAS technology is to help drivers maintain concentration and to automatically attempt to stop collisions.”

Arval also pointed out a growing awareness among fleets that drivers needed to be taught how to use different types of ADAS system and integrate them into their driving style in order to maximise their effectiveness.

“When ADAS systems first started appearing, there was a tendency to view them as definite solutions to driving problems but there is a growing awareness that these are tools that have value only if drivers are shown how to make the most of them.

“A good analogy is reversing sensors. Almost all cars now have reversing sensors but people still back into walls sometimes. In the same way, ADAS systems have real value, but only if they are set up correctly and the driver uses them effectively.”

Which ADAS systems do you feel are most useful in improving company car safety?

Collision avoidance                         35%

Automatic emergency braking                   30%

Pedestrian detection system                      30%

Driver fatigue warning                                 28%

Lane departure warning                             27%

Adaptive cruise control                               21%

Automatic parking system                          19%