Imagine cruising down the highway, the sun shining, music playing, and you barely have to lift a finger. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, with the latest advancements in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), that dream is closer to reality than you might think. But, before you kick back and relax, let’s dive into what AAA discovered in their recent eye-opening tests of these systems in Los Angeles traffic.
In 2025, the AAA took it upon themselves to evaluate several ADAS technologies in the notoriously busy Los Angeles freeway system. These systems come in various flavors, from blind spot monitoring to collision warnings, and even emergency braking. Think of them as your car’s second pair of eyes and ears, ready to warn you or step in if a crash seems imminent. On the other hand, you have systems designed for convenience, such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, which aim to make your driving experience smoother.
One of the standout features tested was traffic jam assist. This nifty gadget combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping features, specifically designed for those frustrating stop-and-go moments on the freeway, usually cutting out around 40 mph. However, we’re still in the realm of “level 2” systems, meaning the driver must stay alert and ready to take control. More advanced “level 3” systems exist, allowing for complete driver disengagement, but that’s a story for another day.
Now, back to the AAA test. They gathered a team and hit the roads during peak traffic hours, covering the same routes to see how these systems fared. Over the span of 16.2 hours, they logged an average of 342 miles (or about 550 kilometers), all while following the vehicles’ user manuals to operate the ADAS. To capture all the juicy details, the cars were outfitted with cameras and GPS, ready to document every traffic hiccup along the way.
But what did they find? On average, drivers had less than 10 minutes of uninterrupted driving in traffic jams. That’s right—human intervention was required every 9.1 minutes or every 3.2 miles. The data showed that a staggering 85% of these notable events prompted the driver to step in. If you’ve ever used adaptive cruise control, you might not be surprised to learn that the most common trigger for intervention was a vehicle cutting into the driver’s lane. This happened roughly every 8.6 miles, or about 24.4 minutes, with a whopping 90% of these events needing a driver’s response.
Next on the list of common intervention triggers was inadequate lane centering, occurring approximately every 11.3 miles (or 32.2 minutes), with 72% of those instances requiring some action from the driver. Add to that the 71 instances where the system failed to resume driving after a stop, and you start to see the challenges these systems face. Not to mention the 57 times where lane-keeping or adaptive cruise control simply switched off, or the 43 instances where the car didn’t slow down adequately, requiring the driver to hit the brakes 70% of the time. Yikes!
Interestingly, AAA found that less advanced systems—which required the driver to keep their hands on the wheel—encountered notable events at three times the frequency of hands-free systems. The hands-off systems only needed intervention every 20.1 minutes or 7.2 miles, while those requiring hands-on control demanded intervention every 6.7 minutes or 2.3 miles. Plus, the hands-off systems constantly reminded drivers to put their hands back on the wheel every 5.5 miles (or 15.3 minutes). Talk about a nagging reminder!
With these findings, AAA has some solid recommendations that fall under the umbrella of common sense. First and foremost, when you’re behind the wheel, stay alert! ADAS is not a substitute for an engaged driver. Avoid distractions, especially from your smartphone. And, take the time to read your car’s user manual to understand how, when, and where these systems are most effective. Lastly, don’t forget to maintain a safe following distance, even if it means dealing with a few more lane cut-ins.
In conclusion, while the technology behind ADAS is impressive and continuously improving, it’s crucial to remember that these systems are not foolproof. AAA’s research highlights the importance of remaining engaged as a driver, even when technology is doing part of the work. As we move forward in 2025, let’s hope automakers heed these insights and work on enhancing the performance of these systems, especially in response to cut-ins and lane centering. After all, a safe drive is a happy drive!
