Harm Zeven is Public Affairs Advisor at the ANWB and joins the ADAS Alliance as a new core team member. As an automotive expert, he represents the interests of ANWB members, approaching topics from the perspective of vehicle technology itself.

The link between technology and user

In his role at the ANWB, Harm investigates whether the technology was designed according to the original intention and whether the user understands how to operate it. He applies this expertise both internationally and nationally.

“Internationally, through the FIA, I am active with motor clubs from abroad to ensure the implementation of these systems proceeds as smoothly as possible and, if necessary, to have the legislation amended,” says Harm. “Nationally, we essentially do the same through the ADAS Alliance, because everything is constantly evolving.”

Safety is a shared responsibility

Driver assistance systems can make traffic safer, but it remains a technology that must continue to function flawlessly in the complex reality. Harm emphasizes that this is a shared task.

“We cannot place that responsibility solely on the car manufacturers; we must do this together.” The far-reaching systems, which are often already mandatory, must also continue to function reliably for the lifespan of the car. Cars nowadays last about twenty years; that is a long period for mechanical and, increasingly, electronic technology.”

The added value of collaboration

Within the ADAS Alliance, Harm focuses on establishing concrete benefits and identifying areas for improvement in a timely manner. He is convinced that the systems must demonstrably reduce the number of accidents and casualties; it should not be wishful thinking that these systems constitute the solution.

According to Harm, proper functioning begins with the correct use of the systems. Because people need to get used to new technology, it is essential to help them by providing good information. Additionally, the goal is to identify errors and teething problems as quickly as possible and place them in the right place, so that the technology becomes increasingly reliable.

An important condition for acceptance is that the systems do not cause irritation and work in the same way in every car. “No one is going to read an instruction manual when picking up a rental car, and that shouldn't really be necessary,” says Harm. When systems do not work intuitively, they are currently switched off too often, and that is a missed opportunity for road safety.

Advice to the driver

Finally, Harm has some practical advice for everyone hitting the road: “Take a look at what systems are in your car, or in other cars or even motorcycles you sometimes drive. The better you understand how they work, the sooner you will benefit from their help. Always remember, however, that as a driver you are better equipped to handle situations that rarely occur. So always stay alert, even though your car sometimes makes it easy for you these days.”