“You can get over a lane.” “Watch that truck!” “You’re trailing to close. Slow down!”
When a driver hears this it can distracting and annoying and sometimes down right upsetting for some.
This is the back seat driver!
Perhaps the days of a driver hearing those common calls from the backseat are coming to an end, thanks to driver-assist technology like Ford Co-Pilot360™. According to a recent study from Ford and sociologist Jess Carbino, 68 percent of drivers believe that backseat driving behavior will decrease because of driver-assist technology.
Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology can help quiet backseat drivers and take the lead in helping drivers navigate the road with confidence. Available driver-assist technologies – such as Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking can help reduce the risk of collisions and build confidence in certain driving situations, while always allowing the driver to remain in control.
For the study, Ford teamed with sociologist Dr.Jess Carbino, best known for her work with Bumble, and confirmed that back seat driver can cause more harm than good for the well-being of those inside the vehicle.
“For a lot of drivers, constantly getting advice from passengers is more than just annoying, it’s stressful,” Carbino said. “The Ford Co-Pilot360 helps encourage trust during the drive and can help create a more relaxed, collaborative atmosphere in the car.”
In fact, the study’s findings contradict a growing belief that technology inhibits human connection. Insights from the study show that while backseat driving can cause in-vehicle relationships to suffer, driver-assist technology can help avoid unnecessary backseat banter. Since the technology can help assist with some of the burdensome tasks of navigating, drivers and passengers can focus on more enjoyable aspects of the ride, namely each other.
The data also suggests that since respondents have confidence in the technology, it can help eliminate the perceived need for their backseat driving input.
