Quick Guide
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Understanding What ADAS Means
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) bring together technologies that can monitor the road, surrounding traffic and, in some cases, the driver. Depending on the system, they may provide information or warnings, assist with driving tasks or intervene when a potential danger is detected.
Modern vehicle safety is about more than protecting people when a collision occurs. Increasingly, cars and vans use technology designed to help drivers recognise potential hazards, avoid collisions — including those involving vulnerable road users — and reduce their severity when they cannot be avoided.
These technologies can include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), lane assistance systems, Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), blind spot monitoring and driver monitoring systems.
The capabilities of these systems vary considerably between vehicles, and similar technologies may also be described differently by individual manufacturers.
ADAS is designed to assist the driver rather than replace them. Understanding what these systems do, how they work and their limitations can help explain the role they play in the safety of a modern car or van.
DriveSmart explains these technologies and how they contribute to modern vehicle safety, bringing this together with our Euro NCAP safety information for cars and vans.
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Why ADAS Matters
Traditional vehicle safety features, such as seat belts, airbags and vehicle structures, are primarily designed to protect occupants when a collision occurs.
ADAS adds another layer of safety by using technology to help identify potential hazards and, depending on the system, warn or assist the driver or intervene in certain circumstances to help avoid a collision or reduce its severity.
These technologies can also assist with other aspects of driving, including lane position, vehicle speed and distance from other traffic, while some systems can monitor signs of driver fatigue, distraction or inattention.
For businesses providing company cars and vans, vehicle safety also forms part of wider health and safety responsibilities to drivers or employees.
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How ADAS Works
ADAS technologies use information from the vehicle and its surroundings to identify situations in which the driver may benefit from additional information, a warning or assistance.
Depending on the vehicle and the system fitted, this information may be gathered using cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors and other vehicle sensors. Some systems also use information such as vehicle speed, steering input, road signs or digital mapping data.
The vehicle's software interprets this information and determines whether any assistance is appropriate. This might be as simple as displaying a warning, or it could involve an audible alert, steering assistance or the automatic application of the brakes.
ADAS technologies can therefore operate in different ways and at different levels of intervention. Some simply provide information to the driver, while others can temporarily influence the speed, braking or direction of the vehicle.
Different ADAS systems fitted to the same vehicle can also operate in very different ways. Understanding the particular systems fitted is therefore more useful than assuming that the term "ADAS" describes a single standard package of equipment.
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Common ADAS Technologies
ADAS can include a wide range of technologies, and the systems fitted will depend on the vehicle, its specification and the manufacturer.
ADAS technologies can be grouped into several broad areas, including:
- Collision Avoidance — includes technologies such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
- Lane Assistance — includes Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK).
- Speed Assistance — includes Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) and speed limiters.
- Cruise and Distance Assistance — includes conventional cruise control, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and more advanced intelligent or predictive systems.
- Blind Spot and Cross-Traffic Assistance — includes technologies such as Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
- Driver Monitoring Systems — includes technologies designed to identify possible driver fatigue, distraction or inattention.
These systems do not necessarily operate independently. A modern car or van may combine information from several sensors and assistance systems, while manufacturers may use different names for technologies that perform similar functions.
The presence of one ADAS technology does not necessarily mean that a vehicle is fitted with the others, or that apparently similar systems will provide exactly the same capabilities.
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ADAS and Vehicle Safety Ratings
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have become an increasingly important part of modern vehicle safety assessment for cars and vans.
Euro NCAP assesses a range of technologies designed to assist the driver, help identify potential hazards and, in some circumstances, avoid a collision or reduce its severity. These can include technologies associated with collision avoidance, lane assistance, speed assistance and driver monitoring.
The presence of an ADAS technology does not, by itself, indicate how effectively that system performs. The operation and capabilities of apparently similar systems can vary between vehicles, manufacturers and specifications.
DriveSmart brings together Euro NCAP safety information for cars, electric cars, vans and electric vans, allowing the published safety assessments to be considered alongside our explanations of the technologies involved.
Explore Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
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Independent Vehicle Information
DriveSmart provides independent information designed to help motorists, self-employed drivers, businesses and fleet operators understand vehicle ownership.
Our searchable vehicle databases combine technical specifications, taxation, running costs, grants and safety information, allowing users to compare vehicles using consistent, structured data.
Whether you are choosing a family car, an electric company car or a commercial van, our aim is to help you understand the facts before making your decision.
Our Vehicle Safety Hub Is Growing
DriveSmart continues to expand its Vehicle Safety Hub with additional guides covering modern vehicle safety technologies, commercial vehicles, electric vehicles and independent safety information.
As new vehicle assessments become available, our searchable databases and supporting guides will continue to develop.
Important Safety Information
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are designed to assist the driver. They do not replace the need for the driver to remain attentive, maintain control of the vehicle and respond appropriately to road, traffic and weather conditions.
The availability, operation and limitations of individual ADAS technologies vary between vehicles, manufacturers and vehicle specifications. Drivers should familiarise themselves with the systems fitted to their vehicle and follow the information and instructions provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
No driver assistance system should be relied upon to prevent a collision or to operate correctly in every situation. The driver is still responsible for the safe operation and control of the vehicle at all times.
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