Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) vs automated vehicles. What does it mean and how it applies to you?

In Australia, vehicle automation is rated up to level 5, from Level 1 being driver assistance to Level 5 being full automation.

Let’s start Level 1 and 2, which are currently approved for use in Australia. These are the fancy features that many cars now have to help assist you when driving (or parking!). 

These technologies are new and offer potential safety benefits by assisting drivers who can often make mistakes. ADAS features are there to help you avoid a crash.

Collision Warning and Avoidance features include Automatic Emergency Braking. Lane Departure Warning and Forward and Reverse Collision warning to improve safety for you and other drivers while you’re on the road.

Other features such as parking cameras and parking assist are helpful when parking your car and can help you avoid those annoying dents and scrapes.

A 2+ ADAS feature that has just been released is full-self driving (supervised) which enables the vehicle to undertake driving capabilities while remaining under driver supervision.

A vehicle with the feature engaged is not considered an autonomous or driverless car and a person must be in control while sitting in the driver’s seat while the vehicle is driving on the road or parking.

Now, Levels 3 to 5. 

Level 3 and 4 conditional and high automation vehicles are not approved for use in Australia, excluding the small number of trials being carried out in Melbourne. 

Do you see videos of those self-driving taxi in the Silicon Valley? Well, while they’re pretty cool to watch, these are Level 5 Full automation and are not approved in Australia.

What do you need to do?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can be very helpful, but it’s important you know what you are allowed to do in Western Australia. Make the most of the technologies approved and available to you so you can be the safest driver on the road. However, make sure you remain in control of the vehicle from the driver’s seat and alert to your surroundings at all times.

In connection with Austroads and other transport jurisdictions in Australia, ADASassist.com.au is an excellent resource to learn more about all the available functions approved in cars today. 

If you’re interested in vehicles with advanced technologies, make sure you know the rules Western Australia and other states.