New research by Allianz has uncovered that a staggering 54% of truck and van drivers in the UK are switching off their driver assistance systems. These critical safety features, designed to protect vulnerable road users and prevent collisions, are being disabled at an alarming rate.

Drivers cite various reasons for disabling these life-saving technologies:

• "Impractical"
• "Annoying"
• "Unnecessary"
• Perceived malfunctions

Christian Sahr, head of the Allianz Centre for Technology (AZT), emphasises the urgency of addressing this issue: "What use are the best driver assistance systems if they are not switched on? It is therefore crucial that fleet operators and drivers receive comprehensive training on how to use these systems."

The Potential Impact

A recent study by AZT examined 700 road accidents involving commercial vehicles. The findings are eye-opening:

• One-third of accidents could have been prevented with proper visibility or active blind-spot assistants
• 42% of UK commercial drivers experience "dangerous conflicts" with unprotected road users at least weekly

The Bigger Picture: Safety Across Europe

The UK is not alone in this concerning trend. Similar percentages of drivers disabling safety systems were found in:

• France: 54%
• Germany: 50%
• Spain: 48%
• Italy: 47%[4]

The Role of Technology in Road Safety

Ulrich Stephan, head of commercial business at Allianz Versicherungs-AG, highlights the dual benefits of these systems: "In addition to the positive impact on road safety, effective assistance systems can also benefit fleet operators in terms of vehicle insurance: only safe vehicles can be profitable for fleet operators."