Subaru owners generally adopting Driver Attention system as per IIHS data
Subaru's DriverFocus system, a feature designed to keep drivers focused on the road, has received a positive response from a majority of its users, according to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The study shows that nearly nine out of ten drivers who have the DriverFocus system on their vehicles use it most or all of the time. Among these users, 64% agree that it makes them safer drivers, and 63% agree it helps them avoid distractions.
The DriverFocus system, which uses a driver-facing camera to detect whether the driver's eyes are open and directed at the road ahead, analyses steering patterns and lane deviations to determine when a driver's awareness is slipping. It issues alerts when it detects signs of distraction and drowsiness.
However, some drivers who turned off the system complained that the alerts were annoying and too frequent. false alarms were reported when drivers changed lanes without using the turn signal, as the system is designed not to issue an alert when the turn signal is engaged. Other false alarms were reported when drivers were using their navigation system, adjusting the radio, or adjusting climate controls.
The IIHS notes that some drivers may have misunderstood the system's intended functions, leading to false alarms. The study suggests that automakers may find it relatively easy to convince drivers of the benefits of attention support features.
Camera-based systems, like the DriverFocus, are most often employed in conjunction with partial automation. They are designed to minimise the risk that drivers will lose focus as they rely on adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features to keep their vehicle travelling down the road.
Other manufacturers offer simpler, pattern-based systems as standalone features, but camera-based systems, like the DriverFocus, are more commonly used.
The name of the driver mentioned in the IIHS study is not publicly disclosed. The study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that owners of Subaru models equipped with DriverFocus believe it makes them safer drivers.
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