Consumers unfamiliar with collision avoidance features: survey

Many Canadians are skeptical of the safety features built in to modern cars, largely because they don't understand them, says a new study.

The study, by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, also found most drivers likely over-estimate their own safe driving skills.

While common safety features like anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and adaptive headlights ranked high in Canadians' awareness, according to the TIRF study, some modern features have flown under their radar.

Only 23 percent of survey respondents said they were familiar with collision warning systems, for example; 67 percent said they didn't really get brake assist systems.

This may be in part because a good number of respondents were dismissive of the value of these systems. Only half said they would use a car's electronic stability control – even though this feature comes standard in many cars sold in Canada – and more than a quarter brushed off traction control.

About 40 percent and 56 percent wouldn't opt for brake assist or brake override systems, respectively, if offered; and collision warning and lane departure warning systems didn't fare much better.

About half of respondents rated their driving safer and better than their peers, giving themselves an eight-out-of-10 for skill versus other motorists' five-out-of-10.

The Toyota Canada Foundation has partnered with TIRF to promote a new brainonboard.ca website to better educate Canadians about these new car safety systems.

The Brain on Board campaign aims to dispel some common myths surrounding safety tech, and make some new symbols and terms easier to understand.

The results of the TIRF study were based on responses to a survey of 2,500 Canadians.

(via Collision Repair Magazine)