Vehicle tech-‘NO’-logy: driver assistance features that drive us round the bend

• Auto start/stop revealed as the most annoying driver assistance feature
• One in four drivers have trust issues with automated parking technologies
• Cruise control the least used driver assistance technology 

New research¹ from Direct Line motor insurance reveals the driver assistance technologies people find most annoying. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of drivers whose car has auto start/stop describe it is ‘actively annoying’ and 25 per cent with access to lane assist agree. While Brits may find some driver assistance technology annoying, developments continue to be made to enhance safety and convenience for motorists.

An engine automatically turning off when the car stops at traffic lights, can be frustrating for some drivers, however, the start/stop technology helps to reduce overall fuel consumption, saving money and the environment.  Lane assist helps to reduce potential accidents by sending alerts when the driver drifts out, which can happen on long drives or when driving tired. A fifth of drivers with front and rear sensors on their car find their beeping actively annoying so don’t use this feature if they can help it.

Table one: Most annoying vehicle technology features according to British drivers 

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2024

Many drivers are also unwilling to trust technology that takes control of their cars. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of drivers whose cars have remote parking features do not use them often because they do not trust them, as do a similar number (27 per cent) of those with reverse parking assist. One in six (17 per cent) also do not trust the cruise control on their car.

Table two:  Vehicle technology features British drivers do not trust

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2024

It is therefore no surprise that cruise control and reverse parking assist are car features that drivers are most likely not to use.

Table three: Car features most likely to go unused

Source: Direct Line Motor Insurance 2024

Matt Pernet, Head of Motor Insurance at Direct Line comments: “Car manufacturers invest huge resources in developing technologies to make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable. While it can be daunting to rely on unfamiliar technology, the features installed in cars undergo rigorous testing and help to keep our roads safer. Technologies like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), are safety systems that identify potential impact targets ahead, warning the driver by putting the brakes on to avoid a collision, have been shown to reduce car rear-end collisions by half².”

Surprisingly, despite many older generations not learning to drive with these technologies, those 55 years old and over are more likely to always use many of them, compared to those aged 17 – 24. These include front and rear sensors (77 per cent v 53 per cent respectively), hill start assist (62 per cent v 39 per cent), reverse parking assist (46 per cent v 32 per cent), lane assist (52 per cent v 39 per cent), blind spot alert (62 per cent v 50 per cent), collision avoidance (49 per cent v 38 per cent), speed limit detection (57 per cent v 48 per cent) and collision warning (53 per cent v 45 per cent).

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.      The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Direct Line motor insurance with a sample of 2021 UK drivers with use of a car (17+) between 30^th September – 2^nd October 2024. The research focused on the following car technology features: cruise control, active cruise control, blind spot alert, parallel parking assist, reverse parking assist, remote parking, speed limit detection, lane assist, driver drowsiness detection, collision warning, collision avoidance front/rear sensors, hill start assist, hill descent assist and auto start/stop.

2.      https://news.thatcham.org/thatcham-research-explains-new-eu-vehicle-safety-regulation/

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group:

Chelsey Wheeler

Deputy Head of News and Issues

Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com

Phone: 07808 727280

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

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Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.