Lane-keeping assist uses cameras to detect lane markings and gently apply steering inputs to keep the car centred. In practice, this can feel like the wheel is "tugging" or "nudging" against the driver's hands.
On winding roads, in roadworks, or when markings are faded, the system may issue frequent warnings or attempt corrections that feel unnecessary. For some drivers, this sensation is disconcerting, and it's a big reason why the feature is often switched off.
In most modern cars, lane-keeping assist can be switched off during a drive, but it will usually switch itself back on the next time the vehicle is started. Manufacturers design it this way to meet safety regulations and retain high crash-safety ratings from bodies like the European New Car Assessment Programme.
Despite clear safety benefits, many drivers reject advanced driver assistance systems.
Drivers cite a mix of frustrations and mistrust. False alarms, constant beeping, and perceived "over-correction" make some systems feel intrusive. Others switch them off after a single bad experience or because they don't understand the system's limits - for example, that lane-keeping assist won't function on poorly marked or unsealed roads.
Lane‑keeping assist is not always perfect, either. Testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program indicates some vehicles deliver abrupt or jerky steering inputs that are hard to override, making drivers feel out of control.
Further behavioural research into advanced driver-assistance system use has identified more issues.
Many drivers learn about these systems through trial and error and experimentation rather than formal instructions or a manual.
What's more, manuals are hard to follow. Many require above-average reading levels, use cluttered layouts, and lack standardisation across brands.
Many car owners also leave the dealership without knowing about their new car's safety features. Many car sales staff have limited training on advanced driver-assistance systems and their limitations.
Further, the same feature can have a dozen or more different names across brands. Motorists acknowledge these systems aren't always intuitive and show strong interest in learning how to use them safely.
Road design and traffic conditions also have a significant impact on trust and engagement. Less regular drivers avoid activating systems in complex or unfamiliar situations, while frequent drivers are more willing to experiment.
Some groups, such as young male drivers who see themselves as technically sophisticated, often have lower objective knowledge of these features but higher confidence in their knowledge.
Evidence from both international crash-data analyses and behavioural research points to several priorities for policy, industry, and driver education.
Safety regulations and purchasing incentives should prioritise the most effective features: lane-keeping assist, driver monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.
Some studies show neutral or negative safety impacts from adaptive and conventional cruise control. These features should be paired with targeted driver education and accurate marketing to set realistic expectations.
Consumer training should be improved at the point of sale. Standardised demonstrations and training can help bridge the knowledge gap.
Better documentation may also help. Simplified, standardised guides and in-car digital tutorials should be adopted.
The evidence is clear: advanced driver-assistance systems can prevent crashes, but the effectiveness of these features depends as much on human factors as on the technology itself.
Milad Haghani is an Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience at the University of Melbourne.
Akshay Vij is an Associate Professor in UniSA Business at the University of South Australia.
Ali Ardeshiri is a Senior Research Fellow in Urban Economics at the University of South Australia.
Zahra Shahhoseini is a Research Fellow in Public Health at Monash University.