A new car tested by a reporter includes advanced driver-assistance systems (Adas), which are technologies designed to help drivers avoid accidents. These systems include features such as lane-departure warnings, autonomous braking that stops the car automatically in emergencies, and fatigue detection that senses when a driver is tired. The car emits sounds if the driver looks away or removes a hand from the wheel, and it gently tugs the steering wheel if it detects the vehicle is drifting too close to a white line. The car also uses haptic feedback—vibrations or movements that the driver can feel—to create the impression of an invisible presence guiding the vehicle. In some cases, the car plays a cryptic tone when it believes the driver is speeding, even if the vehicle is on a road with a lower speed limit. A salesman, Anthony, advises disabling this feature, noting that many drivers keep it on to avoid speeding fines. He also disables the fatigue warning, explaining that the system is not yet familiar with the driver and may be overly sensitive to factors like sunglasses. The reporter expresses concern about how these systems can feel intrusive, comparing them to a driving instructor from 50 years ago. While the technology is intended to assist, the reporter feels it undermines their autonomy, creating a sense of being patronized by the vehicle itself. Despite this, historical data shows that road safety has improved significantly over the years. In 1975, Australia had a road death rate of 26.6 deaths per 100,000 people, which has dropped to 4.7 in 2026. This improvement is partly attributed to Adas technologies like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which has been shown to reduce traffic injuries. The Australian government plans to require lane-keeping assist and AEB on all new passenger vehicles starting in March 2029, with exceptions for large American trucks known as "monster utes." However, researchers have identified issues with existing driver-assistance systems. In 2022, the reporter experienced a situation where a car's AEB system braked suddenly on a bend, nearly causing a collision. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (Ancap), which evaluates vehicle safety, has acknowledged flaws in current Adas systems and announced new design guidelines. Ancap plans to penalize vehicles with safety systems that are intrusive, confusing, or poorly calibrated. It also recommends reintroducing physical buttons for key controls to reduce driver distraction. Ancap’s chief executive, Carla Hoorweg, emphasizes that driver monitoring systems should support drivers without being irritating and must demonstrate real capability to detect distraction and fatigue. Research suggests that Adas may lead to a decline in manual driving skills. Drivers using these systems may take more risks and become less attentive or engaged. A 2026 study by the University of Delft found that drivers using Adas may develop dependence on the technology, experience warning fatigue, or engage in risk compensation—behaving more recklessly because they feel safer. Some drivers, like learner-driver Wil, have their parents disable Adas when teaching them to drive, while others, like 27-year-old Stephanie and her sister, prefer to keep the systems on, citing increased safety and ease of learning. A generational divide is emerging, with younger drivers more open to embracing digital technologies on the road. The article questions whether improving safety technology might also create more careless drivers, as some may become overly reliant on systems and less attentive. The reporter remains skeptical about the rise of fully autonomous vehicles, expressing uncertainty about whether to trust human drivers or electronic systems. While many cars allow drivers to disable assistance features, the reporter prefers a vehicle with minimal electronic intrusion, one that allows for muting features or custom settings for different drivers. Ultimately, the reporter concludes with a preference for maintaining full control of their vehicle, emphasizing the value of human autonomy on the road.