Press Release, 20 November 2025
A major research initiative led by Insurance Australia Group (IAG) in partnership with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre is underway to explore why many Australian motorists are opting out of using advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) despite their life-saving potential. The study will examine real-world driver behaviour—especially when it comes to features like lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking—to understand what’s holding users back.
Initial survey results from the study are striking: around 60 % of drivers admit they deactivate ADAS functions in their vehicles, and only one in three have these systems enabled by default. Roughly 38 % say they find the features distracting. Additionally, the data suggest major gaps in how drivers learn and adopt the tech: 69 % of new learner drivers reported not receiving education on ADAS during lessons or their licence test, and 80 % of users say they only figured things out through trial and error after purchase.
The fieldwork component will take place at the RACQ Mobility Centre in Brisbane where researchers will monitor how ADAS features perform over time and evaluate questions such as whether radar sensors remain effective after collisions. The overarching aim is to generate evidence-based insights into how drivers trust, engage with and ultimately benefit from these safety systems—and then to develop practical strategies to boost uptake and improve road safety. Complete results are expected in 2026.
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