Fleet drivers must understand the importance of correct calibration for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), according to ATS Euromaster.
The SMR firm said drivers needed to know that systems such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist needed correct calibration to ensure they worked properly after incident damage.
Citing Institute of the Motor Industry research showing that less than 50% of drivers saw accurate ADAS calibration as vital, and that 36% would delay acting on an ADAS fault alert until their next scheduled maintenance, ATS Euromaster operations director Mark Holland predicted that the issue would increasingly affect fleets.
He said: “With the growing volume of fleet business taking up to 60% of the [new car] market, particularly in advanced battery electric vehicles, drivers really need to understand how ADAS can help their vehicle, but also how it can adversely affect safety if ADAS are not maintained and calibrated correctly.
“It’s concerning that drivers have such limited understanding of how important it is to maintain ADAS fully calibrated.
“The percentage of drivers prepared to ignore ADAS alerts is particularly worrying. This could have serious implications for fleet managers and their companies if the vehicle was to be involved in a crash as a result and could possibly void the insurance cover.
“So, I would urge all fleet managers to ensure drivers are aware of the safety systems on their vehicles and when recalibration might be required. ADAS provide critical safety assistance – but their usefulness depends on being properly calibrated all the time.”
