With no hands on steering, automated vehicles may breed distracted drivers

These kinds of automated vehicles, although designed to optimise driver comfort and safety, require a human driver to remain on standby when the vehicle is in autonomous mode

Few people pay close attention to the traffic situation unfolding around them when they’re travelling as a passenger in a car, even if they’re in the front seat. And that could make partially automated vehicles, which are operating on our roads right now, problematic.

Also known as Level 2 automated vehicles, partially automated vehicles are capable of controlling steering, acceleration and deceleration. The Tesla AutoPilot system is a good example. (Cadillac, Volvo, Audi and Nissan also offer partial automation).

These kinds of automated vehicles, although designed to optimise driver comfort