Lots of American drivers are going all-in on smart car tech!
Recent survey data shows that 62 percent of respondents have a backup camera on their primary vehicle, 46 percent have adaptive cruise control, and 38 percent have adaptive headlights.
And when you look at the benefits of smart car technology, it’s no wonder many of today’s drivers are willing to invest in these features.
Here are five key benefits of smart car technology.
Benefit #1: Smart Car Tech Helps the Driver Feel Safer
Feeling safe behind the wheel is an important part of practicing safe driving habits. When you don’t feel confident behind the wheel, you start making mistakes or driving so cautiously that you become a nuisance to other drivers.
Our recent survey data shows which smart car features are the most effective at making drivers feel safer:
88 percent of those with rear cross-traffic alerts say it makes them feel safer.
86 percent of those with automatic emergency braking say it makes them feel safer.
91 percent of those with blind-spot monitoring and backup camera say these features make them feel safer.
Benefit #2: Smart Car Tech Makes Driving Easier
As smart car tech makes driving easier, it also makes it more accessible and safer.
Survey respondents reported that driving became easier with specific smart car features. Eighty-six percent of those with pedestrian detection and a heads-up display say that these features make driving easier. As do 89 percent of those with a backup camera, 91 percent of those with blind-spot monitoring, and 92 percent of those with rear cross-traffic alerts.
Benefit #3: Smart Car Tech Makes Driving More Enjoyable
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Americans spent an average of 50 minutes per day commuting to and from work in 2020. And that was during a year of mass layoffs, working-from-home, and quarantining! Pre-pandemic, the average was an hour and 20 minutes. With so much time spent driving, shouldn’t it be enjoyable?
Well, smart car tech can make driving more enjoyable according to our survey data. Here are the stats on the percentages of survey respondents who found driving more enjoyable with specific smart car features:
88 percent of those with self-driving mode,
85 percent of those with a heads-up display braking,
84 percent of those with pedestrian detection,
84 percent of those with road sign recognition,
And 83 percent of those with parking assist.
Benefit #4: Smart Car Tech Can Reduce Traffic Tickets
If your car can automatically follow traffic laws, it can mean fewer traffic tickets for drivers!
And drivers are already reporting being less likely to get a traffic ticket because of smart car features. Sixty-eight percent of respondents with self-driving mode say this feature makes them less likely to receive a traffic citation. And an impressive 77 percent of respondents with road sign recognition feel that feature decreases their chances of receiving a traffic citation.
By the way, if you do get a ticket, don’t panic. You might be able to get your ticket dismissed by taking an online defensive driving course.
Benefit #5: Smart Car Tech Can Reduce Accidents
This is where smart car tech really proves its value. By reducing the number of driving accidents, smart cars can save lives.
And drivers report that their car’s smart features are already helping them avoid accidents.
76 percent of those with forward collision warning say it has helped them avoid an accident (and drivers with this feature were 20% less likely to report that they had been involved in an accident within the last year).
86 percent of those with automatic emergency braking say it has helped them avoid an accident.
84 percent of those with rear cross-traffic alerts say it has helped them avoid an accident.
83 percent of those with blind-spot monitoring say it has helped them avoid an accident.
With smart car tech making drivers feel safer, making driving easier and more enjoyable, and potentially reducing the number of traffic tickets and accidents, the benefits are too great to ignore!