Ask Honest John Question of the Week: Are there any manufacturers that don't fit annoying safety systems?

David Ross, Editor
Fri, 28 Jun 2024

Dear Honest John,

"My 2023 Skoda Octavia has features such as Lane Assist, Front Assist and Stop/Start that I don't like and which have to switched off every trip. I understand from friends that Skoda is not the only offender in this regard. Just how many manufacturers have gone this route and which manufacturers still leave the driver in control of the car as he/she should be?"

- JC

Dear JC,

The increasing proliferation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has come in part through EU legislation, and Euro NCAP have incorporated them into their safety ratings since 2014, so it is an inevitable consequence that they will continue to be a feature on new cars in the future.

Largely this is also irrespective of the manufacturer, although manufacturers such as Dacia have taken the approach of fitting fewer ADAS systems and those that are fitted tend to have a reduced capability, with the end result that they have scored lower ratings in Euro NCAP tests. However, European legislation will force them to install such features if they wish to continue selling vehicles in the EU.

Although having to switch them off each time you start the vehicle can be an irritation, it means that it is an active choice by the driver each time a journey is made and the responsibility for any outcomes as a result then lies with the driver.

In a vehicle which has multiple users, the option to permanently disable ADAS would mean that a driver would need to remember to check that they are active when making a journey, and potentially end up being involved in an accident that otherwise could have been prevented.

ADAS systems contribute towards active safety rather than passive safety, and in many collisions where a vehicle's passive safety provision could be overwhelmed to the detriment of the occupants, an active safety system potentially provides the prevention of a collision rather than a cure for the consequences of one.

Ask HJ

How safe is the new Dacia Duster?

I am told that the Dacia Duster was tested by Euro NCAP in 2017 and received a three-star rating, with a 71% score for adult occupant protection, 66% for child occupant protection, 56% for pedestrian protection and a 37% safety assist score. What do you think the score for the new model will be? Has the safety improved in your estimation? I like your review of the car but I will only buy a car with a 5 star NCAP rating or a very high score the the occupants.

The new Dacia Duster has yet to be tested by Euro NCAP, but we would expect its safety score to improve over the outgoing model both in terms of crash performance and the safety systems available.

Answered by David Ross

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