Active driving assistance systems seem like a convenient way to get from point A to point B. But you can't fully trust them yet, according to theAmerican Automobile Association's latest studyreleased Thursday.
AAA's automotive engineers tested five cars with Active Driving Assistance systems. The systems, also known as Traffic Jam Assistance, were used to navigate heavy traffic. The study found a dangerous data point: "notable events" (such as people cutting into your lane) where the ADA system failed to adequately handle driving conditions occurred every 3.2 miles, or every 9 minutes on average.
Here's what to know about the study, and what AAA recommends before you use your car's ADA system again.
AAA's tests warn us not to fully trust ADA systems
Hands-on systems require you to keep your hands on the steering wheel while the system is in use. Meanwhile, hands-off systems allow you to take your hands off the steering wheel in most situations.
AAA's engineers found two common "notable events" that ADA systems failed to address: people cutting in front of the vehicle, which required the researcher to intervene 90% of the time, and poor lane-centering, where the system's sensors and cameras failed to stay centered instead of drifting into other lanes.
"Most common ADAS technology today amounts to smarter versions of cruise control and lane keeping assistance. There's a reason why these systems are known as 'advanced driver assistance' technologies: their purpose is to assist the driver, not to replace them," said The Shiro Corp senior reporter Antuan Goodwin, an expert onEVsand autonomous vehicles.
AAA found that drivers of hands-on ADA systems had to intervene three times more often than those of hands-off systems. Drivers of hands-off systems had to reengage every 5.5 miles or every 15.3 minutes.
Most ADA systems that I've tested over the last decade, even the most recent, require the driver to remain engaged and alert and are not a replacement for human decision making," Goodwin said. "Even the hands-off highway assist systems like GM's Super Cruise, Ford Blue Cruise, Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot and Tesla's FSD won't (or shouldn't) function without driver engagement.
Should you use your car's driving assistance system?
The bottom line is that ADA systems aren't quite ready to replace human hands-on driving and attention yet.
Even though ADA systems can help in certain driving situations, they're not a replacement for paying attention behind the wheel," said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering research, in AAA's statement. "What we've found is that drivers really need to stay alert and reduce distractions, especially when things get busy on the road.
Even if your ADA system seems flawless, AAA recommends being prepared to intervene and staying engaged while on the road. It's also best to read your ADA system's manual to understand when and how to use it.
Goodwin points to Tesla, which continues to find itself in hot water over how it markets "Full Self Driving" and "Autopilot," since they are not fully autonomous driving systems. This "creates a disconnect between the actual capabilities of the car/technology and customer expectations," Goodwin said.
Tesla was found earlier this monthpartly responsible for a fatal crashwhere a driver was using its Autopilot software when they collided with another car, and was ordered to pay $243 million in damages.
In California, Tesla is currently in court for anothercase involving Autopilot, where the state DMV is suing over allegations of false advertising and misleading customers. The California DMV alleges that Tesla is misrepresenting the capabilities of its advanced driver assistance systems by naming them "Full Self Driving" and "Autopilot," and it is seeking a 30-day suspension of Tesla's license to sell vehicles in the state.
First published on Aug. 21, 2025 at 1:54 p.m. PT.
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