Is Lane Keep Assist a Threat to Cyclists?
Drivers vs. cyclists: who has control of the road? It’s an undisputed war that rarely ends in solution. Many drivers find themselves pitted against cyclists for a simple reason. Roads are meant for cars. On the contrary, cyclists feel the open road is meant to be shared freely. Even if that means bending the rules from time to time.
The discourse between drivers and cyclists almost always ends in gridlock. And now, there is even greater reason to believe these warriors of the road might find themselves at odds again. With advanced safety features keeping drivers safe, it brings forth a new conundrum. How well are these safety features protecting pedestrians nearby?
Find out how lane keep assist has the potential to threaten pedestrian safety, specifically cyclists who share the road with incoming traffic.
What is lane-keep assist?
In 2021, it’s hard to find a new car on the automotive market that doesn’t include safety features such as lane keep assist, or lane departure warning in select makes and models. This advanced safety technology is designed to detect when a car is moving unintentionally out of its lane. It warns drivers with an audible noise or vibration that you’re getting out of line.
The purpose of lane keep assistance systems work wonders for drowsy drivers or people who simply fail to pay attention to the road. Negligent drivers reap the benefits of lane keep assist solely for its second set of eyes keeping you in check.
However, do advanced safety features have the potential to create unsafe situations?
When things go awry for cyclists
Take a moment to envision this scenario. You’re driving down a road with cyclists riding ahead. Your first thought is to (A) drive around them or (B) maintain a safe distance behind them. If you’re anything like most drivers, time does not allow for option B. The only solution: getting around them as quickly and safely as possible.
Now, as you approach the crew of cyclists, you know it’s time to make your big move. With a clear opposing lane, it is the perfect opportunity to ease your vehicle into the other lane and successfully pass the cyclists without harm.
Seems like a smooth transition, right?
Not so fast. Next thing you know your seat is vibrating and your wheel is tugging you back towards the cyclists. The infrared sensors and cameras ignite lane-keep assist to do its job.
In this very scenario, lane keep assist, although an extraordinary technology, seems to fail us. Thus, endangering the safety of cyclists nearby. Lane keep’s purpose is to keep you safe, but it doesn’t factor in the reason why you might be swerving out of your lane. Intentional unpredictable behavior is not on its radar.
There’s always room for improvement
Of course as the driver you always maintain control. As your steering wheel tugs you back into position, the driver has the ability to resist its response. But if you’re not expecting it, the whole situation can become frightening. At last minute you could find yourself jerking the wheel back in order to not hit a cyclist.
The good news is Volvo and other pioneering brands are constantly developing improvements in new car tech. Cyclists will definitely approve once these technologies have better understanding of human behavior. The lane keep assist system might not always work in favor of dangerous cyclists, but right now it is undoubtedly helping millions of drivers.
The verdict is in: cyclists win
The root of this problem is pinpointed back to bad driving. But the real solution lies in the use of turn signals. It may seem unfamiliar to switch a turn signal on just to pass a bicycle gang, but it really is the best way to prevent lane keep assistance from creating a close call.
With cyclists narrow-focused on the road ahead, it often takes the perspective of the driver to make the right decision. While advancements will help cyclists feel more relief, it takes two to tango. It’s the only way drivers and riders can share the road in harmony.
If drivers take more time to veer out of their lane, whether using signals or not, the car will have more time to adjust to the situation. We know not ever driver vs. cyclist situation will be ideal, but remaining cautious is the best alternative.
Want to learn more about lane keep assist safety feature? Click here to read about the varying technologies.
What is your reaction?
Ultimately, every time a bicyclist or pedestrian is in the road a risk has been taken. Roadways can be modified to place a concrete divider to separate people and cars to make their own protected lanes. Some of these safety features vehicles have are counter intuitive, and they result in drivers that pay less attention and not more. People are using autopilot and other safety features to purposely not pay attention to driving. Take a moment to look into why many German cars in the past did not even have cupholders… because it was their intent for an individual to focus on driving and not other nonsense.