What Is Adaptive Cruise Control, and Is It Safe?
October 29, 2025 | The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly automated, and one of the most talked-about features is adaptive cruise control (ACC). This advanced driver-assistance technology aims to make long drives safer and less tiring. However, an adaptive cruise control problem can lead to a car accident. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about ACC, including its benefits and potential risks.
How Adaptive Cruise Control Works
Adaptive cruise control is designed to maintain a preset speed while automatically adjusting for traffic conditions. ACC uses radar sensors, cameras, and sometimes lidar to detect the distance between your car and the one in front of it. If the leading vehicle slows down, your car automatically reduces speed to maintain a safe following distance.
This technology is part of a broader category called advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which is becoming the norm on new vehicles. Even many modern commercial motor vehicles are equipped with ACC. Other examples of ADAS include blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Benefits of Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control offers several benefits, such as:
- Reduced Driver Fatigue: Maintaining speed and distance automatically provides a more relaxed driving experience
- Enhanced Safety: The system helps prevent rear-end collisions caused by inattention or sudden braking
- Improved Traffic Flow: ACC can reduce the stop-and-go pattern that leads to congestion
- Fuel Efficiency: Maintaining steady speeds may improve fuel economy on highways
These advantages can improve your driving experience. However, like all technology, it has limitations that you need to be mindful of.
Common Adaptive Cruise Control Problems
Despite its benefits, problems with ACC can put you or others in danger.
A few examples include:
- Dirty or blocked sensors
- Sudden braking, especially if your system is too sensitive
- Difficulty with stationary objects
- Limited performance in poor weather
Malfunctions aren’t the only concern. According to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report, drivers are 24% more likely to speed when adaptive cruise control or driver assist features are turned on.
Distracted driving is another concern. Some drivers may not pay close enough attention to the road if they are using an ACC system. If that system fails or doesn’t react in time, they could get into a dangerous crash.
Is Adaptive Cruise Control Safe?
Adaptive cruise control is safe when used correctly, but it is not perfect. While ACC systems can reduce the risk of certain types of crashes, they are flawed.
In some cases, overreliance on ACC can create new dangers. Drivers who are too confident in adaptive cruise control and other ADAS technology may assume their vehicles will react appropriately in every scenario. When it doesn’t, delays in their reaction time can increase the risk of a crash.
Legal and Safety Implications After a Collision
Even if you are using an adaptive system and it malfunctions, you are ultimately responsible for controlling the vehicle. However, if an accident occurs while ACC is engaged, determining fault can be more complicated. The vehicle manufacturer and the software developer could be partially liable for what happened. Road conditions and the actions of other drivers are also at play.
Contact the Griffin Car Accident Attorneys at The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve got a vehicle equipped with adaptive cruise control and want to use it, go for it. However, it’s still your responsibility to remain attentive and focused so you can reduce the risk of an accident. If the system fails or doesn’t respond in a timely manner, you must be ready to take control.
If you’ve been in an accident, including ACC, The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our Griffin car accident lawyers can get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
For more information, please contact The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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