Drivers are pressing buttons and deactivating safety features (Image: Getty)
Drivers across the UK could be risking their safety behind the wheel by pressing a series of common buttons located in most vehicles, experts have warned.
Analysis from Direct Line found that petrol, diesel, and electric road users were switching off driver assistance technology, which road users find most annoying.
This can range from auto start/stop tools to collision warning systems and blind spot detection.
Motorists have even deactivated their front and rear sensors – despite the tool helping them avoid accidents.
The analysis revealed that many drivers were unwilling to trust technology that takes control away from the driver and hands it to technology.
Many motorists are turning off their parking sensors (Image: Getty)
topped the list of features turned off by road users, with at least 27% voluntarily ditching the setting.
The tool found in many modern vehicles at a standstill and is said to help preserve fuel.
Lane assist technology, which prevents motorists , has been ditched by around 25% of individuals.
Meanwhile, one in five had turned off their front and rear parking sensors, and 18% had removed speed limit detection warnings.
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Many of these settings are only found in brand-new modern vehicles with sophisticated technology.
Motorists can usually activate or deactivate a mode through buttons located on the car’s dashboard.
Owners of more modern vehicles can usually switch things around by finding the correct settings on their car’s infotainment screen.
Matt Pernet, Head of Motor Insurance at Direct Line, said: “Car manufacturers invest huge resources in developing technologies to make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable.
“While it can be daunting to rely on unfamiliar technology, the features installed in cars undergo rigorous testing and help to keep our roads safer.
“Technologies like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), are safety systems that identify potential impact targets ahead, warning the driver by putting the brakes on to avoid a collision, have been shown to reduce car rear-end collisions by half.”
Percentage of those who don’t use tech because it is ‘actively annoying’
- Auto start/stop – 27%
- Lane assist – 25%
- Front/rear sensors – 20%
- Speed limit detection – 18%
- Driver drowsiness detection – 15%
- Blind spot alert – 14%
- Collision warning – 13%
- Remote parking – 9%
- Active cruise control – 9%
- Collision avoidance – 8%