Active Driving Assistance: Promising Technology, Lingering Challenges

AAA Study Reveals Drivers Intervene Roughly Every 9 Minutes in Heavy Traffic, Highlighting Frequent Safety Concerns

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AUGUST 21, 2025) – Despite advanced vehicle technology becoming increasingly common, it presents both opportunities and challenges. In a recent AAA study, AAA Automotive Engineers evaluated five passenger vehicles with low-speed-capable Active Driving Assistance (ADA) systems, also known as Traffic Jam Assistance, in heavy traffic. The study compared hands-on and hands-off ADA performance. Notable events occurred every 9 minutes on average. The most common events were cut-ins and poor lane centering.

“Safety and getting home to our families is always the most important task of any driver,” said Todd Burger, Chief Automotive Officer for AAA Mountain West Group. “New technology, like ADA systems, can help, but nothing is a substitute for an attentive driver who is alert and not distracted."

Overall Results

In total, notable events–defined as any situation where the ADA system failed to handle driving conditions–were recorded every 3.2 miles (approximately 9.1 minutes) on average. The most common incidents, requiring researchers to intervene 90% of the time, were inadequate responses to cut-ins, when a vehicle enters the lane directly in front of the vehicle.
The second most frequent issue was inadequate Lane Centering Assistance, a driver assistance system that uses cameras and sensors to keep a vehicle centered within its lane, providing steering assistance to prevent drifting.

Comparison of Hands-on and Hands-off Systems

Engineers reported a difference between hands-on and hands-off ADA systems while driving.

The results show that drivers of hands-on systems had to intervene due to driving events three times more frequently than those for hands-off systems.
Though hands-free most of the time, drivers using hands-off systems were asked to re-engage by placing their hands back on the wheel approximately once every 5.5 miles or every 15.3 minutes, requiring continuous driver engagement.

Recommendations

Adding advanced vehicle technology into our daily routines offers both benefits and challenges. To help improve road safety, AAA recommends:

Remain in control and be prepared to intervene by braking or steering at all times while using ADA systems. Evaluated ADA systems are never a substitute for an engaged driver.
Eliminate distractions, including interacting with a smartphone.
Maintain awareness, stay engaged, and remain in complete control of the vehicle at all times.
Be familiar with how your ADA system operates. Read the vehicle owner's manual to learn when, where, and how to use them.
Select a following distance that suits the driving situation to allow for more time to react and intervene when needed.

It's important to prioritize safety when developing and utilizing this technology. AAA aims to collaborate with industry leaders to enhance testing and expand consumer education about autonomous systems as they become more widely used. AAA encourages automakers to focus on:

Enhancing ADA performance, particularly focusing on improving cut-in response and lane-centering behavior.
Improving the visibility of alerts related to the deactivation of ADAS features to ensure drivers are aware when features are active or inactive.

About AAA Mountain West Group

AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.