Working with IHS, real-world crash data shows that safety systems such as automatic emergency braking can reduce certain types of collisions by 50%. However, the safety benefits of other features like lane centering and adaptive cruise control are less clear. Vehicles equipped with multiple safety features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and forward collision warning show the most improved safety and reduction in crashes and injuries. The additional convenience features do not contribute significantly to improved safety.
Consumer Reports vehicle technology maven and friend of the show Kelly Funkhouser returns to discuss CR's new rankings for active driver assistance systems, the class of systems pioneered by Tesla Autopilot. Kelly explains why the ranking emphasizes collaborative and driver monitoring features over automation, how critical these elements are to the safety of such systems, where her work ranking them will go from here, and much more.