Why You Should Not Trust Your Car’s Automatic Systems Completely

12 February 2026

Paul Francis

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Most modern drivers assume that if a feature is labelled “automatic”, it will take care of itself. Automatic lights. Automatic braking. Automatic lane correction. The car feels intelligent, almost watchful.

Car dashboard at night with blurred city lights in the background. Speedometer glows blue. Display shows 8:39. Moody, urban setting.

But there is a quiet issue that many drivers are unaware of, and it begins with something as simple as headlights.

The automatic headlight problem

In fog, heavy rain or dull grey daylight, many cars will show illuminated front lights but leave the rear of the vehicle dark. From inside the car, everything appears normal. The dashboard is lit. The automatic light symbol is active. You can see light reflecting ahead.

However, what often happens is that the vehicle is running on daytime running lights rather than full dipped headlights. On many cars, daytime running lights only operate at the front. The rear lights remain off unless the dipped headlights are manually switched on.

The system relies on a light sensor that measures brightness, not visibility. Fog does not always make the environment dark enough to trigger full headlights. Heavy motorway spray can reduce visibility dramatically while still registering as daylight. The result is a vehicle that is difficult to see from behind, especially at speed.

Under the Highway Code, drivers must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. Automatic systems do not override that responsibility. In poor weather, manual control is often the safer choice. It is a small action that can make a significant difference.

Automatic emergency braking is not foolproof

Automatic Emergency Braking, often referred to as AEB, is one of the most widely praised safety technologies in modern vehicles. It is designed to detect obstacles and apply the brakes if a collision appears imminent.

In controlled testing, it reduces certain types of crashes. But it is not infallible. Cameras and radar can struggle in heavy rain, low sun glare, fog, or when sensors are obstructed by dirt or ice. Some systems have difficulty detecting stationary vehicles at high speed. Others may not recognise pedestrians at certain angles.

It is a safety net, not a guarantee.

Lane assist is not autopilot

Lane keeping systems gently steer the car back into its lane if it detects a drift. On clear motorways with bright road markings, they can work well.

On rural roads, in roadworks, or where markings are faded, they can disengage or behave unpredictably. Drivers may not even realise when the system has switched off. Over time, there is a risk that drivers become less attentive, assuming the vehicle will correct mistakes.

It will not.

Cars drive on a wet highway during sunset. The sky is golden, and trees line the road. The scene is viewed through a windshield.

Adaptive cruise control still requires full attention

Adaptive cruise control maintains speed and distance from the car ahead. It is comfortable on long motorway journeys.

However, it does not anticipate hazards like a human driver. It can brake sharply when another vehicle exits your lane. It may not react appropriately to a fast vehicle cutting in. Most importantly, it does not read the wider context of traffic conditions.

It reduces workload, but it does not remove responsibility.

Blind spot monitoring is not perfect

Blind spot indicators are helpful, especially in heavy traffic. They provide an extra warning when another vehicle is alongside you.

But motorcycles, fast approaching cars, or vehicles at unusual angles can sometimes escape detection. Sensors can also be affected by weather or dirt. A physical shoulder check remains essential.

Cameras distort reality

Reversing cameras and parking sensors have reduced low-speed bumps and scrapes. They are undeniably useful.

Yet cameras distort depth perception, and small or low obstacles can be difficult to judge accurately. Relying entirely on the screen rather than physically checking surroundings is one of the most common causes of minor accidents.

The bigger risk is complacency

There is a growing concern among safety researchers about automation complacency. When systems work well most of the time, drivers begin to relax. Attention drifts. Reaction times lengthen.

Modern vehicles are safer than ever, but the technology is designed to support an attentive driver. It is not designed to replace one.

The word “assist” appears frequently in the naming of these systems for a reason. They assist. They do not assume control.

Automatic lights, braking, steering correction and cruise systems are impressive pieces of engineering. They reduce risk. They improve comfort. But they still require a human driver who understands their limits.

Trusting technology is reasonable. Trusting it completely is not.

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National Living Wage Increase: A Step in the Right Direction?

Gregory Devine
Oct 23, 2023
3 min read

Jeremy Hunt announced earlier in October the National Living Wage would increase from £10.42 to £11. It’s a good start but is it enough to help with the cost-of-living crisis? For those who aren’t aware, the national living wage is different from the national minimum wage. It’s the lowest amount workers aged 23 and over can be paid. It’s not a recommendation, it's the law.

Annually, the government determines wage rates after considering guidance from the independent advisory body, the Low Pay Commission. Typically, the commission's recommendations are accepted by the ministers. The government had previously established a goal for the national living wage, aiming to attain a level equivalent to two-thirds of median hourly pay by October of the upcoming year. While the Low Pay Commission has yet to officially confirm its recommendations for the next year, it anticipates that the wage rate required to meet the government's objective will fall within the range of £10.90 to £11.43.

A care assistant was interviewed by the BBC saying that a pay raise would “help for now” but with the costs of necessities like food and fuel constantly rising she felt her wages would still be “playing catch up”. That being said it would still help and she and her partner might be able to cover bills and put money aside for savings.

It says so much about the state of the country right now when a wage increase, that still isn’t really enough with inflation, might just allow a household to have barely enough income for bills and possibly some savings. That should be a given in this country. There is no way in the 21st century we should find people struggling just to live in Britain. There’s enough money in this country for that to be possible yet the greed of corporations still prevails.

I feel it’s very important to point out this wage increase is only for people 23 and above. What about young people who have a family? They still need to provide for their children. I struggle to see how age matters when you consider this. Is the government saying your family doesn’t matter as much if you’re young?

Some people might say benefits are the answer here. That would be ironic as Jeremy Hunt announced ministers would be looking once again at the benefits system and the requirements for applying to certain benefits. He said this was due to things “going in the wrong direction” due to around 100,000 people leaving the workforce each year for what Mr. Hunt described as a “life on benefits”. Once again the Tories aren’t really interested in helping people during a time when they really need it.

It feels like the general election is close but in truth, it’s not. The Tories don’t have to call an early one and in truth why would they when it’s obvious they wouldn’t win right now? It’s not until January 2025 that a general election must be called. We still have well over a year of Rishi Sunak and the conservatives. How long can this country survive without new ideas that focus on the entire point of a country, its people?

I read a lot on X (formally Twitter) people asking why a vote of no confidence cannot be called but this would require Tory MPs to vote against their own party. This is highly unlikely to happen. Even if some MPs did vote against their own party, the Conservatives have a huge majority meaning even if some Conservative MPs did want to change sides it would have hardly any impact on the vote.

The increase in the national living wage was needed and it certainly will help people. That being said I’m still sceptical as to whether it will be enough as the cost of living continues to rise. The Tories cannot just stop here, they must continue to serve the British people, do the right thing, and provide the necessary support for families up and down the country.