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Podcast

Do driver safety systems actually make us safer? What your car is trying to tell you

In this episode, Ruth speaks with Carla Hoorweg from ANCAP about the rise of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Ruth Callaghan  profile picture

by Ruth Callaghan

Published Jun 2026

2 min read

Podcast

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Ruth Callaghan  profile picture

by Ruth Callaghan

Published Jun 2026

Text size

Are the safety systems in modern cars becoming too intrusive? That's one of the questions explored in the latest episode of the Horizons by RAC podcast, where host Ruth Callaghan is joined by Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP.

  • Watch on YouTube

  • Listen on Spotify

  • Listen on Apple Podcasts

The discussion examines the growing presence of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in new vehicles, including technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, lane support, blind-spot monitoring and driver-monitoring systems.

While these features are designed to improve road safety and reduce crashes, many drivers have experienced unexpected warnings, interventions or alerts behind the wheel. Carla explains why these systems are becoming more common, how they work, and why some motorists find them frustrating.

The conversation also explores how ANCAP assesses vehicle safety, the role consumer feedback plays in shaping future safety standards, and how manufacturers are working to improve the balance between driver assistance and driver distraction.

Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear how vehicle safety technology is evolving, and what the future may hold for the systems increasingly sharing control of the driving task.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:15 What are Active Driver Assist Systems (ADAS)?
02:44 From ABS to AEB: how safety tech became seamless
05:10 Driver monitoring and attention detection
06:21 The learning curve for drivers and the role of dealerships
08:48 Blind spot monitoring and the path to autonomous vehicles
13:10 The role of ANCAP and the star rating system
15:48 Setting guardrails for manufacturers
16:47 The four new assessment pillars
22:14 Post-crash safety: the golden hour, eCall and rescue
24:49 Buttons vs touchscreens: usability and access
26:43 How the points and star ratings work
27:41 Divisive systems and false positives
28:23 Consumer feedback reshaping the protocols
30:47 What autonomous emergency braking feels like
33:29 Poorly tuned systems and what drivers can do
34:36 Balancing driver control and safety
37:59 The road to self-driving cars
38:58 Liability, regulation and consumer trust
40:06 Closing

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