IIHS Study Finds Driver Distraction Increases With Autopilot Use
An IIHS study of Tesla Autopilot and Volvo Pilot Assist found that drivers become significantly more distracted when using these systems, engaging in non-driving activities like eating or using phones, with distraction increasing over time as drivers learn to circumvent attention-monitoring alerts.
What happened
The Instituto de Seguros para la Seguridad en las Carreteras (IIHS) conducted month-long studies of Tesla's Autopilot and Volvo's Pilot Assist systems, examining driver behavior when the technology was in use and how it evolved over time.
In the Tesla Autopilot study, 14 participants drove more than 19,300 kilometres; attention-related warnings activated 3,858 times, and drivers took an average of three seconds to respond, typically by tapping the steering wheel. With Volvo's Pilot Assist, 29 volunteers were distracted 30% of the time, described by the authors as 'extremely high.'
Reported impact
When these driver-assistance systems are in use, drivers become distracted with manual and visual activities such as eating or using electronic devices. Distraction increases with increased time using these systems, as drivers learn how the attention reminders work and develop tricks to evade them, such as light taps on the steering wheel, resulting in less hand contact with the steering wheel and greater driver distraction.
The IIHS stated that better safety measures are needed to ensure attentive driving.
Index analysis
These are Level 3 autonomous driving systems that use cameras, sensors and software to regulate vehicle speed based on other vehicles on the road, maintain the car in the centre of the lane, and in some cases change lanes automatically. Drivers must continuously monitor the road and be ready to take control at any time, and most systems require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.
Governance controls
Most driver-assistance systems require drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel. The IIHS studies noted that half of Tesla Autopilot's warnings occurred when the driver was partially focused, with one hand on the wheel.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.