Are car safety features making us better drivers — or worse?

From lane assist to automatic emergency braking, today’s vehicles are packed with technology designed to keep drivers safer on the road. But according to a recent PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, many drivers aren’t convinced these features are actually improving how people drive. 

In fact, while most Washington and Oregon drivers say they use modern safety features, more than half (57%) believe today’s drivers are worse behind the wheel than previous generations, suggesting that reliance on technology may be chipping away at core driving skills. 

The poll found that 61% of drivers use safety features at least occasionally, with more than one-third saying they rely on them frequently. Yet when it comes down to trust, drivers still believe in themselves more than their cars. A strong majority (88%) say they would rely on their own skills rather than vehicle technology in an emergency situation. 

Interestingly, that confidence doesn’t always extend to others on the road. Fewer than half of respondents (46%) say they trust other drivers’ abilities over the technology in those drivers’ vehicles — a sign that while people feel capable behind the wheel, they remain skeptical of everyone else. 

There’s also one skill Northwest drivers overwhelmingly agree still matters: navigating without GPS. A majority of respondents (71%) say it’s important to be able to get where you’re going without digital directions, reinforcing the idea that fundamental driving skills still hold value in today’s tech-driven world. 

Safety features can be helpful backups, but they work best when paired with attentive, engaged driving. Staying alert, maintaining safe distances, and practicing defensive driving habits remain essential — no matter how smart our cars become. 

For more Northwest Poll results, visit www.pemco.com/blog/nw-polls