Millions of UK Drivers Ignoring Life-Saving Car Tech
Shock research from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart reveals millions of UK motorists are ignoring in-vehicle tech that could save lives. Their 2024 Road Safety Report, surveying over 2,000 drivers, shows only a quarter (25%) regularly use driver assistance aids in their cars. Meanwhile, a worrying one-third (33%) never use these features at all.
Speed Warnings and Cruise Control Left in the Garage
- Speed warnings on dashboards top the popularity charts with 28% regular use.
- Cruise control trails just behind at 27%, but it’s also the least used, with 34% admitting they never touch it.
- Other tech like collision warning systems get even less love—only 23% of drivers use them, while a quarter claim their cars lack this tech altogether.
Younger, High-Mileage Drivers Lead the Tech Charge
The data also exposes demographic divides. Drivers aged 17 to 34 are nearly twice as likely to embrace driver assistance features compared to the over-70s. Men tend to use these aids more than women. And those clocking over 10,000 miles a year, often for work, are the most enthusiastic tech users.
Advanced Safety Tech Goes Unused Despite Benefits
Modern motors come packed with gadgets like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and emergency braking systems. Newer tools such as drowsiness detection and automated lane-keeping are gaining ground. Yet many drivers remain wary, unaware, or just plain reluctant to use them.
“A Missed Opportunity for Safer Roads”
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart’s Director of Policy and Standards, said: “It’s ironic that so many rely on technology daily, yet inside their vehicles, drivers seem ambivalent about using systems that could save their lives.
Many drivers may disable features because they find them intrusive or unfamiliar. There’s clearly a need for better education — both at individual and fleet level — so drivers understand how these systems work and how they can improve road safety.”
Lyes urges more driver training and suggests integrating ADAS guidance into future Highway Code updates to boost awareness.
Free Guide Helps Drivers Get Smart on Car Tech
To tackle the knowledge gap, IAM RoadSmart has launched a free online ADAS guide, created with the FIA Region 1 Hi-Drive campaign. The guide explains the full range of driver aids, dashboard warnings, and controls.
They also offer vehicle familiarisation courses for van operators and businesses, aiming to improve confidence and safety behind the wheel.
