September 4, 2019—According to CNBC, J.D. Power published a study showing drivers are purposely turning off ‘annoying or bothersome’ safety systems in their vehicles.
J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Tech Experience Index Study found that 23 percent of consumers with the systems complain that the alerts are annoying, and of those owners, 61 percent actually disable the system.
Automakers are spending significant capital on semi-autonomous and driver-assist systems that are meant to increase safety and put drivers more at ease for safety, but the study finds some models are doing the opposite for owners.
“Automakers are spending lots of money on advanced technology development, but the constant alerts can confuse and frustrate drivers,” Kristin Kolodge, executive directors of Driver Interaction & Human Machine Interface Research at J.D. Power, said in a statement.
Criticism from consumers on these systems also could be red flag for self-driving vehicles, says Kolodge.
The study was based on responses from more than 16,400 owners and lessees measuring owners’ experience, usage, and interaction with 38 different technology systems.