If you’ve driven a car recently, chances are you’ve seen or used cruise control. This feature is found in many modern vehicles and is designed to make your driving experience smoother and less tiring. By allowing the car to maintain a constant speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal, cruise control can be particularly useful when traveling long stretches of open road. However, like any feature in a vehicle, it’s important to use cruise control properly and understand its potential dangers.
You may be wondering, “Is cruise control dangerous?” The answer largely depends on how and when you use it. While cruise control systems offer convenience, there are times and situations where their use can become problematic—even potentially dangerous. To help you make informed decisions behind the wheel, this post explores the risks and benefits of cruise control, along with practical tips for using it safely.
Table of contents
How Cruise Control Works
Cruise control is a system in your car that allows you to set a speed for your vehicle to maintain without needing to use the gas pedal. Essentially, once you activate the system, your car’s speed stays consistent until you brake, cancel the feature, or manually adjust the speed. For most drivers, this can reduce fatigue on long drives, allowing time to rest leg muscles and focus more on steering.
Some vehicles also come equipped with adaptive cruise control, a more advanced system that automatically adjusts your car's speed to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. Adaptive cruise control makes driving in moderate traffic conditions a little less stressful by slowing down or speeding up to match the flow of traffic. While this feature introduces an added layer of convenience and safety to cruise control systems, driving is never without risks.
Potential Dangers of Cruise Control
Is cruise control bad? While it's not inherently dangerous, it can become a contributing factor in accidents when used inappropriately or under unsafe conditions. Here are several scenarios where the use of cruise control can be risky:
Slower Reaction Times
One of the biggest concerns with cruise control is that it may lead to slower reaction times. When a system is handling the car's speed, some drivers disengage mentally. They may not pay close attention to their surroundings, making them slower to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions, such as other vehicles braking unexpectedly or unexpected obstacles in the roadway.
Even with adaptive cruise control, reliance on the system can sometimes create a false sense of security. Drivers might assume that the system will handle any dangerous situations, but these features aren’t perfect and require active driver supervision. The driver is always responsible for the vehicle and its maneuvers.
Use in Inclement Weather
Using cruise control in poor weather conditions—such as on wet roads, slippery roads, or during heavy rain or snow—can be particularly dangerous. When road conditions are hazardous, maintaining constant speed can increase the likelihood of losing control of the vehicle. For instance, if you hit a patch of standing water and your tires lose contact with the road (commonly known as hydroplaning), cruise control may potentially worsen the situation by continuing to apply power to the wheels.
Adaptive cruise control can also struggle in extreme weather as sensors may become obstructed by snow, rain, or dirt, reducing the ability to accurately detect other cars and adjust speed accordingly.
Winding or Hilly Roads
Cruise control may work best on long stretches of flat, straight roads, like highways. The actual capabilities of the system can vary and reference should always be made to the car’s manual. When you encounter winding roads or hilly terrain, maintaining the same speed can become dangerous. Steep inclines may require you to slow down to remain safe, and sharp turns often demand more careful management of your car’s speed and steering.
Heavy Traffic
Cruise control is not generally designed for congested traffic or areas with frequent traffic lights. If you use it in such conditions, you may find yourself needing to brake and reset the system often. Not only does this defeat the purpose of using cruise control, but it can also increase the risk of rear-end collisions with other drivers who may not anticipate your actions. Paying attention to traffic conditions in such scenarios is vital.
Distracted Driving
Perhaps one of the greatest risks of cruise control is its ability to lull drivers into a false sense of relaxation or lack of diligence. When you’re not actively managing the gas pedal or adjusting your car's speed, it’s easy to become less engaged with the road. This reduced attentiveness can lead to dangerous driving decisions or delayed responses when faced with hazards.
Tips for Safe Cruise Control Usage
While there are risks associated with cruise control, it can still be a safe and useful tool when used responsibly. Of course, the first place to look is the car’s manual and the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law. In addition, here are some tips to help you use cruise control safely and avoid dangerous cruise control scenarios:
Use Cruise Control in Appropriate Conditions
The key to using cruise control safely is knowing when to activate it. Stick to long stretches of road where traffic is light, and the weather is clear. Avoid using cruise control in traffic congestion, inclement weather, or on winding roads where frequent adjustments are needed.
Stay Engaged While Driving
Even when cruise control is active, you must remain alert and focused on the road. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on traffic. Remember, you are still in control of the vehicle and responsible for making timely decisions. Relying solely on the system without paying attention can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
Know Your System’s Features
Every vehicle’s cruise control system operates slightly differently. Take the time to review the owner’s manual for your car to understand the specific cruise control features it offers and how to use them safely. For example, familiarize yourself with the cancel button, as well as the brake pedal overrides that deactivate the system.
If your car has adaptive cruise control, it’s equally important to learn how the system works. Keep in mind that it’s designed to assist you, not replace you as the driver.
Adjust for Roadway Conditions
Be mindful of changing roadway conditions as you drive. Turn off cruise control if you encounter wet roads, slippery surfaces, or heavy traffic. It’s also a good idea to avoid using cruise control at night or in areas with frequent intersections.
Set a Reasonable Speed Limit
When using cruise control, choose a speed that allows you to remain in control of your vehicle while adhering to posted speed limits. Avoid setting the system to maintain a speed that may make it harder to react to changes in traffic or other vehicles. Adjust your speed as needed for safety.
Is Cruise Control Safe Overall?
When used properly, cruise control can be a valuable tool that enhances comfort and convenience on the road. It helps reduce driver fatigue, especially during long trips, and encourages more consistent speeds, which can improve fuel efficiency. However, misuse or over-reliance on cruise control systems—especially in the wrong conditions—can lead to dangerous situations.
By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, drivers can use cruise control safely and effectively. The responsibility still falls on you as the driver to remain vigilant and prepared to take control at any moment.
What to Do If You’re in a Crash
Despite your best efforts to drive safely, accidents can still happen. Dangerous roadway conditions, other drivers’ mistakes, or even vehicle system malfunctions can result in a collision. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving improper or negligent use of cruise control, legal options may be available. At William Mattar, P.C. we understand how overwhelming it can feel to recover from a serious injury while navigating complex personal injury claims.
Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to guide you every step of the way, from investigating your case to negotiating with insurance companies. We’re committed to advocating for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can help, contact William Mattar Law Offices today at (716) 444-4444 or through our online form for a free consultation.