Tuesday, May 5
Driving assistance systems and road safety
Driver assistance systems – ADAS – have become indispensable in modern cars. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) promise greater safety and comfort, but in practice, it turns out that many motorists do not sufficiently know what their car can and cannot do. This is precisely where a major road safety issue lies, states Jos van Kleef, chairman of the ADAS alliance since early 2025.
Van Kleef is no stranger to the world of mobility. With over twenty years of experience – including as Managing Director of Goudappel and a board member at Vialis – he knows traffic engineering from the inside out. “This subject touches upon behavior, technology, infrastructure, and policy. That makes it complex, but also urgent,” says Van Kleef.
An important tool of the alliance is the annual ADAS monitor. This shows that many motorists have insufficient insight into the driver assistance systems in their vehicles. “A significant proportion simply do not know what is on their car, or what the systems can or cannot do.” A good example is the use of Lane Keeping Assist in the snow. “That doesn't work then, if everything is white. The systems also have limitations.”
At the same time, users who do know their systems are generally satisfied. Systems like Adaptive Cruise Control react faster than humans and can increase road safety. “But only if they are used correctly. ADAS is support, not a replacement for the driver.”
Distraction and frustration
In addition to ignorance, the ADAS alliance also identifies another risk: distraction. Approximately 30 percent of users indicate that driver assistance systems actually make them less alert. “That leads to situations we want to avoid. It calls for better explanation and realistic expectations.”
The lack of uniformity between brands plays a role in this. Manufacturers use different terms, interfaces, and logic. “Technically, systems may function well, but they are not always perceived that way. This increases frustration and increases the likelihood that drivers will switch systems off.”
The alliance cannot enforce the working methods of car manufacturers, but it is committed to better instruction upon car delivery. This explicitly applies to rental cars as well. “You get in and drive away, without explanation. Yet that is precisely where extra attention is needed.”
Effect on other road users
ADAS affects not only the driver but also the environment. “Driver assistance systems are highly dependent on infrastructure, and therefore on road markings, clarity, and visibility. Peak-hour lanes and complex road sections are often difficult for these systems.” According to Van Kleef, better coordination between the vehicle and infrastructure is crucial to better protect vulnerable road users as well.
Tangible improvements
The ADAS alliance will focus on a number of tangible improvements in the coming period. For instance, as of April 1, ADAS will be included in the CBR theory exam. “That is an important step to structurally raise the level of knowledge.”
In addition, European legislation ensures that, starting this spring, garage owners will receive information from manufacturers regarding the driver assistance systems present in used cars. “This lays the foundation for better explanation and more conscious use.”
Ultimately, Van Kleef views ADAS as a stepping stone to further automation. “We are currently at level 2. The step to level 3 is legally and socially complex. That is precisely why it is crucial now to lay a solid foundation, with knowledge, realistic use, and attention to road safety.”
About the ADAS Alliance
The ADAS Alliance is a covenant established in 2019 between seven parties, including the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, ANWB, RAI Vereniging, BOVAG, RDW, the Dutch Association of Insurers, and the Association of Dutch Car Leasing Companies. Its goal is to improve the safe use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and thereby contribute to reducing traffic casualties.
Since 2025, Van Kleef has been at the helm as independent chair, a role explicitly separate from the interests of the participating organizations. The alliance deliberately seeks collaboration with external parties. Van Kleef: “We don’t just say what needs to be done, but also ask: what can you, as a garage owner, trainer, or employer, do concretely? It is precisely this translation that makes the difference.”