MILAN/STOCKHOLM - Drivers' misuse of driver-assistance technologies and distraction from in-car features pose a greater traffic safety risk than mechanical problems, a survey of transportation experts has found.
The survey, released July 15, reflects industry concerns about human error at a time when some governments are considering stricter regulations for autonomous driving systems. While concerns about Ford's BlueCruise and Tesla's Full Autonomous Driving systems are increasing in the USA, Ignacio Alvarez from the Italian brake manufacturer Brembo, which financed the survey, emphasized that the systems should be clearly explained to the end user.
More than 1,000 transportation experts from 10 countries, including France, Germany, the USA and China, participated in the survey conducted by Economist Enterprise, part of the Economist Group. 30 percent of experts viewed misunderstanding or misuse of driver assistance systems as the biggest safety issue, while 24 percent cited in-car features that are increasingly distracting. Two-thirds of professionals think advertising exaggerates the capabilities of these systems. A Swedish transport authority has recommended voting against Tesla's rollout across Europe, as regulators consider tighter controls following a fatal crash involving a Xiaomi vehicle in China.