A recent analysis by AAMI has revealed that a notable portion of Australian motorists are choosing to disable advanced safety features in their vehicles.
The 2025 AAMI Crash Index, which surveyed over 2,000 drivers and reviewed more than 480,000 insurance claims, found that one in five drivers reported turning off at least one Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in their cars.
ADAS technology – which includes functions such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control – is designed to reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents.
However, the study indicated that the adoption of these features is not universal, with many drivers opting out of their use.
The research identified several reasons for this trend. Among those who reported disabling safety features, 69% cited irritation, distraction, or excessive sensitivity as the main factors.
Another 23% felt they did not require the assistance, and 13% expressed scepticism about the reliability of the technology.
The most frequently deactivated features included:
Mary Kennedy, AAMI motor prevention manager, commented that while these features are intended to reduce accident risks, their effectiveness depends on driver engagement.
“In-car safety features aren’t just gadgets; they’re designed to help protect us and make our roads safer. We should be embracing these features, not turning them off,” she said.
She encouraged drivers to familiarise themselves with these systems and use them to supplement their driving awareness.
“Nose-to-tail collisions are the most common type of crash on our roads. They’re expensive, occur frequently, but most importantly, many are preventable,” Kennedy said. “Many of the safety features drivers are turning off, like collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are really effective at preventing these types of crashes, along with many others including reversing into another vehicle or object such as a trolley or bollard.”
According to AAMI’s claims data covering February 2024 to February 2025, vehicles equipped with ADAS, particularly those with autonomous braking, were less likely to be involved in accidents compared to vehicles lacking these technologies.
The data also showed that nose-to-tail collisions were the most common type of incident, with afternoons and Fridays identified as peak periods for such claims.
The survey also found that 59% of respondents agreed that safety features contribute to improved road safety and help to reduce both the frequency and severity of accidents.
When considering new or used vehicle purchases, Australian drivers listed reverse cameras, blind spot monitoring, parking assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control as the most valued safety features.
The research was conducted by Pure Profile in June 2025 and included a representative sample of drivers aged 18 and over. Additional state-specific data is available upon request.
As the July school holidays approach, Allianz Australia is advising families to pay close attention to road safety.
Company research indicated that 86% of parents plan to travel during the winter break, with a concentration of trips expected toward the end of the holidays.
The survey found that driving with children presents unique challenges for parents. Forty-two percent described the experience as chaotic, with frequent snack requests (57%) and sibling arguments (49%) among the most common distractions.
In total, 73% of parents acknowledged that distractions behind the wheel are a regular occurrence.
The Allianz study also explored how music played in the car affects driving behaviour. Thirty-nine percent of parents said they were more likely to speed when listening to energetic music, while 60% reported that children’s songs could influence their driving focus.
Music with a tempo above 120 beats per minute was found to reduce concentration for nearly half of respondents, with reported impacts on speed, focus, alertness, and reaction time.
In contrast, slower music (60 BPM to 80 BPM) was associated with greater calm and attentiveness, with half of parents stating it helped them remain focused.
