The Benefits and Drawbacks of Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control is one of the technologies created for cars that can make driving an exciting experience. The technology uses sensors to brake or accelerates without the driver having to step on the pedals. This technology has been of great use, especially for those who spend a lot of time traveling in cars. This feature has helped do away with the tiring physical and mental aspects of driving. Other elements, like distracted driving, unnecessary braking, and swerving in the lanes, are also eliminated. While only a few cars were fitted with this technology in the past, a good percentage of cars currently have this system running. With this technology, your car can move at a constant speed without having to step on the accelerator, and at the same time maintains a certain distance between you and the car ahead of you.

• 

Benefits

            You can relax while driving

Adaptive cruise control comes with many advantages, but perhaps one of the greatest benefits is that drivers can relax on the road. This system can enable you to drive at a constant speed without keeping your foot on the pedal. This means that you can relax and you do not have to strain yourself or use energy to step on the accelerator while maintaining a certain distance with the car in front of you.

            Reduces fuel expenses

Driving the car at a constant speed helps prevent fuel wastage, thus saving on fuel expenses. In the past, fewer cars were fitted with this system. However, almost every car has the system these days. Fitting cars with the adaptive cruise control system and other fleet management accessories from EyerideOnline can help you save on many costs.

Drawbacks

However good a system is, it will also have its cons. If you are using cruise control, you should be cautious, because some of the disadvantages can be catastrophic.

            You can over-relax

Adaptive cruise control was created to primarily ease the driving burden of the driver. However, since the system does much of the work, a driver may become disengaged from the road, which in turn can reduce their awareness. This means that if the car ahead of you applies sudden breaks or an animal suddenly crosses the road, you may not be able to react in time. The fact that the driver is not in a position to react effectively in case of changing road conditions makes it dangerous.

            Technology may fail

Although some improvements have been made to the adaptive cruise control used in modern vehicles, technology can still let you down sometimes. For instance, if cruise control fails, then it can be almost impossible to apply brakes to your car. Although these cases are uncommon, the fact still remains that they can occur. This makes it dangerous, especially if the vehicle you are driving is an older model.

            The bottom line

Cruise control is a great feature to help those who drive for many hours by controlling the speed of the vehicle, but it does not take total control of your vehicle. Thus, while you should use it to your benefit, you also need to be cautious.