New Study Finds Adaptive Cruise Control Users More Likely to Speed

A new study from the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that drivers who use adaptive cruise control are more likely to speed than drivers who do not use this feature. Learn about how adaptive cruise control may impact highway speeding and your safety. 

What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a more advanced version of traditional cruise control that lets drivers set a speed they want the vehicle to maintain. ACC uses extra sensors to calculate and maintain a specific following distance based on what the user inputs. It is a popular feature among drivers because it prevents them from having to repeatedly brake and reset the system. It can also be used in tandem with other safety features like lane centering to maintain the vehicle’s position within the travel lane.

ACC is a safety feature. The Highway Loss Data Institute indicates that using ACC can decrease crash risk. Other studies have reached positive results about ACC, finding that ACC does all of the following:

• Maintains a greater following distance by default than most human drivers use
• Reduces the frequency of passing
• Reduces the frequency of lane changes

In light of the new findings, it is unclear whether the safety benefits of ACC outweigh the risks of speeding. 

How Adaptive Cruise Control Impacts Rates of Speeding

IIHS researchers studied 40 drivers for four weeks to see how having adaptive cruise control affected driving behavior. They gave drivers a vehicle that included adaptive cruise control. Researchers found that driver who used adaptive cruise control were 24 percent more likely to speed on highways than those who had the systems turned off. Additionally, they were more likely to speed more miles per hour above the speed limit than the drivers whose systems were turned off.

The IIHS study did not give an opinion about why ACC may cause drivers to speed. However, one theory is that because some ACC systems adjust speeds by 5-mph increments, a driver may be encouraged someone to set the system for 5 or 10 mph above the speed limit  Additionally, some drivers use ACC to keep pace with traffic during high congestion, which may cause them to maintain higher speeds.

Contact Gainesville Car Accident Lawyers at Fine, Farkash, and Parlapiano Today

If you were injured in a Florida car accident, the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Fine, Farkash, and Parlapiano are here to help. Our car accident attorneys in Gainesville can investigate your claim and gather evidence to establish if the other driver was speeding. We have more than 100 years of combined legal experience that we put to use on every case to identify all at-fault parties and potential sources of compensation. We will then negotiate a fair settlement for your claim.

Give us a call or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Gainesville car accident lawyer.

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