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Horizons by RAC Podcast

Why Your Car Keeps Beeping, Braking and Taking Over (#28)

Jun 23, 2026 · 40 min

In this episode, Ruth Callaghan speaks with Carla Hoorweg from ANCAP SAFETY about the rise of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and driver-monitoring technologies. The conversation explores driver experiences with systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane support, blind-spot monitoring, and driver-monitoring technology.

Carla discusses common concerns around false alerts, intrusive interventions, and driver frustration, while explaining the role of ANCAP and how ANCAP gathers consumer feedback and works with manufacturers to improve system performance and usability.

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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Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

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