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Safety Devices May Have Opposite Effect

London - January 25, 2006: According to a study conducted by West London'sBrunel University, electronic safety systems that are designed to minimize human error may actually make drivers more dangerous by lulling them into a false sense of security.

The effect, dubbed “highway hypnosis” by researchers, is a state of mind brought about by reduced stress and drivers having little to do. The study examined the effects of two systems: adaptive cruise control, which electronically maintains a safe distance from vehicles in front, and active steering, which monitors the white lines in the road and adjusts the steering to keep the car in lane.

Forty four drivers were tested in a simulator to see how quickly they would respond to an emergency. When both safety systems were switched on, the drivers' reaction times were considerably slower.

Mark Young, research leader, said "If a driver has little to do the capacity to respond to unexpected events is dramatically reduced."

M. Rauch - TACH Auto Central