Around two-thirds of fleet drivers don’t regularly make use of in-vehicle assistance aids despite the life-saving benefits.

Among high-mileage drivers, 68% don’t use lane keeping assist technology regularly

Among drivers who travel more than 10,000 miles every year – typically those doing so on business – 68% don’t use lane keeping assist technology, while more than a third (66%) don’t utilise their vehicle’s speed limiter and collision warning capabilities respectively.

The findings were based on a survey of 2,008 drivers for road safety charity IAM RoadSmart’s 2024 Road Safety Report.

Cruise control and adaptive cruise control were identified as the most frequently enabled aids, both of which are used regularly by 40% of respondents. This was closely followed by speed warnings, frequently used by 37% of respondents.

Younger motorists, however, are more open to embracing vehicle technology. Drivers aged 17-34 are around twice as likely to use driver assistance systems compared to someone aged 70 or over, while their use is also higher among male drivers.

Driver assistance systems have become far more prevalent on newer vehicles over the last decade, with many cars now including autonomous emergency braking, driver drowsiness and attention warning and emergency lane keeping systems, among others, thanks to latest regulations in the EU and Northern Ireland.

But IAM RoadSmart warns that many of these benefits are not being used by fleet drivers, potentially endangering themselves and others in the process, while also inflicting reputational and financial harm on the businesses they represent.

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards, said: “It’s ironic that so many businesses rely on technology on a day-to-day basis, yet within their fleet vehicles, their drivers at best seem ambivalent about using technology systems that could save their lives if these were engaged.

“Through the simple fact that they spend the largest amount of time out on the road, high-mileage drivers run the greatest risk of being involved in an accident. However, our data shows that these drivers are missing out on using critical vehicle aids which will improve both their comfort and their safety.”

Lyes warned that part of the issue is likely due to a lack of understanding among drivers about how each of these systems can benefit them, with some businesses not providing adequate training on why these technologies should be used.

He also said that many might switch off certain systems because the alarm might be irritating or because they don’t like the feel of the steering wheel autocorrecting to keep the vehicle in a lane.

Lyes went on: “There’s potentially an exercise for both individuals and fleet managers to ensure drivers and colleagues learn more about these systems, as well as advisories being added into the next round of Highway Code changes.

“While we need more awareness of how these aids work, it’s important to remember that driver assistance systems should always complement safe driving rather than be a replacement for it.”

IAM RoadSmart offers a free online ADAS guide, which provides individuals and businesses with an explanation on the latest technology, alongside analysis on how it can improve road safety and details on in-vehicle button and warning lights.

The guide, created in collaboration with the FIA Region 1 Hi-Drive campaign, can be found here.