
Why Do Most Drivers Turn Off Vehicle Safety Systems?
There's a good chance that your late-model car, truck, or SUV has a handful of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). There's also a good chance that you are not using them, as numerous studies have revealed that most drivers find them distracting and annoying due to frequent alerts, perceived over-correction, or unexpected interventions. If you are like most drivers, you get frustrated and turn them off—negating the safety benefits.
To dive deeper into why drivers are shutting off their vehicle's ADAS technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking (often marketed under slightly different names, depending on the automaker), I polled more than a half-dozen drivers to get some additional insight.
My findings were consistent with the published studies. Drivers welcomed the ADAS technology (often paying to have their vehicle equipped with the features), optimistic that it would make driving less stressful and more relaxing. Instead, they frequently found the features intrusive, annoying, unreliable, and startling as they intervened unexpectedly and without warning. While some of the technology, such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)—designed to intervene only in emergencies—could not be defeated, systems that could be turned off were often.
'I must turn off the system continuously,' says Sean Dugan about BMW's Lane Keeping Assistant. 'It's jarring and most of the time—more like all the time—unexpected.' And he notes that things are even worse after the sun goes down. 'At night, even when nobody is around, you make a lane change without using a blinker that the car starts fighting to stay in the lane.'
Tesla owner Patrick O'Connor finds Lane Assist, part of the company's Autopilot system, frustrating. 'It is over-aggressive, and it doesn't seem to adjust well to naturally curvy roads. I have to turn my lane assist off because it keeps jerking me almost out of my lane—it thought I was swerving on the freeway, although I was following the road within the lane properly.' His wife, Ashley, drives a Kia and uses the vehicle's Smart Cruise Control regularly. 'As a mom of two children under five, I found it helpful in most insists when I drive the kids around. However, I do note that it needs more fine-tuning—it abruptly swerves and does not seem to have as much distance awareness as the system in my husband's Tesla.'
'We have a Cadillac Escalade, and I like the Adaptive Cruise Control because I can set it for 75 (even when freeway traffic is at 35), and it will stay with the flow of traffic automatically speeding up and slowing down. It's kind of nice,' explains Chad Armstrong. 'With that being said, the Reverse Automatic Braking tends to overreact sometimes by slamming violently on the brakes when there's nothing there. For some reason, and I know this sounds weird, it seems to be triggered by shadows.'
But not everyone is unsatisfied. Esther O'Connor, who drives a Subaru, appreciates the ADAS features. 'I love them. As you get older, I think they are great because they are very good at alerting you if you get momentarily distracted,' she said, referring to Subaru Lane Keep Assist, part of the company's standard EyeSight driver-assist system. 'Everyone occasionally gets distracted, whether while taking in road signs or watching for other traffic. The automatic system is good because it moves the steering wheel when you leave the lane, and it beeps.' But she's not smitten with all the systems. Esther has a steep driveway that continuously triggers Subaru's Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system when backing out of her driveway. When her Outback crosses over the gutter on the street, it automatically comes to a jarring stop. Frustrated, she's developed a work-a-round. She puts the transmission in neutral (thus defeating the ADAS) and rolls into the street without stopping.
Meighan Offield drives a Volvo equipped with the company's Pilot Assist & Adaptative Cruise Control System. 'I don't like using adaptive cruise control because I get disengaged from actually driving—same with the lane-centering self-steering. I need to keep my hands on the steering wheel for it to work anyhow, so I'd rather just steer and stay engaged,' she explains. 'Additionally, the adaptive cruise control brakes and accelerates too hard when cars change in and out of lanes in front of me. I prefer to be in control.'
Offield also notes other frustrations with ADAS, including one with Volvo's Rear Auto Brake (RAB) that mirrors Esther O'Connor's frustration. 'My driveway is sloped, so when I'm backing out of my driveway, the car senses the unlevel pavers and auto brakes. The system brakes really hard, and it's very startling—you think you have hit something. Fortunately, the button to disable it pops up on the screen when the rearview camera turns on, so I often disable it.'
Volvos are fitted with forward collision warning systems, which is part of the company's City Safety or Active Driver Assist features. 'When I'm driving on a curved road with parked cars along the sides, the forward collision prevention system kicks in and starts braking my car aggressively when it shouldn't,' Offield observes. 'It seems to read the parked cars on the side of the road, and because of the angle, it thinks I'm going to have a head-on collision. This is very frustrating, but unlike the back-up system, the forward collision system is not as easy to turn off without navigating to it in the infotainment system, so I leave it on.'
Charlie Schiavone drives a RAM 2500 pickup with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). 'I religiously use adaptive cruise control in every car I drive, including rentals when they have it. It takes away all the fatigue when driving, especially in traffic,' he explains. 'However, the sudden and harsh braking you get when a car gets in front of you is annoying. More times than not, there is enough space in front of you that simple coasting will suffice.' Schiavone also notes that the system doesn't drive naturally—like a human. 'When cars are moving out from in front of you, the adaptive cruise control accelerates way too quickly to close the gap, and if there is slowed or stopped traffic ahead, you need to intervene, or the system will do some harsh braking. It always feels like it engages too late—it feels like you're going to hit the car in front of you, and you may!'
Jeep owner Shannon McGee finds that ADAS offers some benefits but also has more than a few frustrations. Her vehicle is fitted with the company's Active Driving Assist (or Active Lane Management). 'Thankfully, my lane-keeping assist isn't as aggressive as other vehicles, and it just slowly corrects my wheel. However, my Jeep has a Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, and the sensor isn't the greatest. My car will automatically brake if it senses another vehicle too close, and most of the time, there is no reason to brake—it brakes hard and beeps, too. It usually scares me more than helps me.' Like many motorists, McGee finds the system 'crying wolf' so often that it can't be trusted. 'I can see its benefits if I need it to prevent an accident, but it seems to activate when it's not needed, and it makes things more dangerous.'
Automakers have spent billions of dollars engineering, developing, validating, and testing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). However, studies and interviews indicate that most consumers still find them infuriating—to the point where they are ignored or defeated. The reality is that drivers prefer to maintain complete control of their vehicles rather than trust current ADAS technology.
Drivers I interviewed want ADAS technology to drive naturally and predictably, mimicking the way they drive—staying smoothly within the lane on the road, anticipating the flow of highway traffic, gently applying the accelerator and brake, and memorizing familiar challenges such as backing out of a driveway at home. They want ADAS to drive more like a human.
Despite widespread consumer frustration with current ADAS technology, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is mandating that all new vehicles have emergency braking systems as standard equipment by September 2029. But unless automakers make drastic improvements to the technology, it appears that most drivers will simply shut it off.

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A comfortable pair of headphones can make any long-haul flight, gym workout, or train trip even better. The wrong pair? You're in for poor battery life, tinny sound, and maybe the worst part: ear aches and weird pressure points. To help avoid this, our team tested 55 pairs of headphones over the past six months to find the most comfortable pairs of over-ear headphones and earbuds, evaluating our picks based on ease of setup, ease of use, comfort, sound quality, performance, and value. We wore these during work commutes, in distracting office settings, on long walks, and during sweaty workouts. As someone who can't function in loud places without some sort of noise dampening, I've also tested a variety of headphones both on this list (like the Ozlo Sleepbuds, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and both Anker pairs) and some that didn't make the cut (my favorite bone-conducting pair is the Raycon's Open Earbuds). I have different headphones for the gym, my runs, bike rides, plane rides, and remote work calls, and all have a time and place in my gym bag or carry-on. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones took the top spot this year thanks to their cushioned ear pads, deceptively lightweight build, and world-class noise cancelling. Read on for the rest of our top picks. Credit: Amazon $449 at Amazon $450 at Target $449 at Walmart Landing in our top slot for the second year in a row are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. They have an intuitive design, just enough features to be convenient without confusing, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Similar to the classic QuietComfort, the Ultras are lightweight for their size, and don't constrict our ears. We don't feel aches and pressure points after wearing them on long-haul flights, and the Bose app is fairly intuitive with plenty of customizable settings. The setup process is quick and painless, and the 'touch bar' is a unique feature that can either adjust the volume or be set for customized shortcuts via the app. The plush leather ear cups fit nicely around our ears, and the sound quality—from noise cancelling to voice calls—was clear and crisp. As expected, we did get a little hot wearing these during the muggy summer days, but that's to be expected for a large set like this. Yes, you'll pay more for the Ultras than the standard, but if you're looking for a pair of do-it-all headphones that combine excellent comfort, long battery life, and premium sound quality, they're worth it. The Details: 8.96 ounces | Up to 24 hours of battery | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $249 $230 at Amazon $250 at Target View on Walmart Apple's AirPods have come a long way since their initial release, and the Pro 2 model brings it up another notch with effective noise cancelling and better in-ear comfort. The hear-through mode acts similar to bone-conducting headphones in that it separates your music from the noises around you. The earbuds respond well when we turn our heads to hear from different directions. The buttons are simple and intuitive, with one discreet button on either bud. The right button turns on noise cancellation and the left is for hear-through. 'This is new to me from their previous models, and I love it.' says T+L editor Taylor Fox. We were able to take phone calls on busy commutes and on loud streets, and they stayed in place well during test workouts, bouncy runs, and jumping jacks. These are a top choice for Mac users, as they connect to the Apple ecosystem and pair easily with our iPhone, though getting them to connect to our laptops was a little trickier. Lastly, these are some of the most compact earbuds on our list, weighing less than a quarter-ounce and perfect for stashing in the pocket of a personal item. The Details: 0.19 ounces | Up to 6 hours of battery | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure These premium headphones have been on our heads daily since we got them, from taking calls while running errands to riding the train and after eight-hour workdays. They set up like magic (hold your phone near the headphones and the app automatically downloads) and after a quick features tutorial, we were all set. They have an automatic on-off feature which helps conserve battery life, and each sound feature was as impressive as the last. The glass ear cup base operates all of the commands with swiping (which works with either hand), and they have a unique dial on both ear cups that operates sound volume and the level of noise cancellation. 'These are some of the most intuitive headphones that I own,' says T+L editor Morgan Ashley Parker. 'Other pairs I feel like I'm tapping and toggling and swiping and simply hoping for the best (or accidentally doing the wrong thing) but that hasn't happened once with these.' Parker was also impressed with the comfort of these headphones, fitting well over her ears without pressing into her lobes or piercings. They stayed secure even when moving and bending over, and the actual music quality felt like 'being in a recording studio.' A splurge? Yes. But if you have the funds and want just one incredibly high quality, comfortable pair of headphones, we think these are worth it. The Details: 13.2 ounces | Up to 32 hours of battery | Up to 40 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Bowers & Wilkins $389 at Amazon View on Target View on Walmart It's easy to forget where you are while wearing this luxurious set from Bowers & Wilkins—the noise cancellation is just that good. Phone calls came in clear, the layers of music were clearly audible, and ambient noise from traffic and public transport disappeared. 'I kept cycling through the different noise-canceling modes while listening to music and the difference was astounding. It was like I was transporting between a quiet room and a crowded train with the press of a button,' says T+L's senior testing editor Jackie Cucco, who was shocked to hear how loud the people around her were after turning off the noise cancellation. The combination of comfort and security is also a dream, with a just-right fit that feels secure around the heads and ears without too much pressure. We watched movies, listened to podcasts, all types of music, and took calls in these headphones and never noticed staticky, distorted, or poorly mixed sounds. The battery life is also impressive, hitting the mark on the claimed 30 hours of listening time and saving the hassle of dead headphones during the noisiest part of our commute. The Details: 10.8 ounces | Up to 30 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Beats $249 at Amazon $200 $180 at Walmart View on Seamless to set up and packed with features, these workout-friendly headphones combine over-ear and earbud designs with a curved ear band that tucked behind our ears and secured the headphones in place. We loved the on-device controls that eliminated the need to keep taking our phone out, and we could play, pause, and adjust the volume right from the in-ear units. Like similarly high-end headphones, these have a power-charge setting where you can get up to 90 minutes of playback with just a few minutes in the charging case and up to 10 hours per charge, with 45 hours stored in the case. Aside from the sweat -and-water resistance, the biggest argument for tossing these headphones in your gym bag is their built-in heart rate monitoring. Just connect the headphones to your fitness app, and the internal tech uses LED optical sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to measure your blood flow. Finally, the sound quality was crisp and clear from the gym and back during noisy commutes. 'The quality is great, no matter the content I listen to,' said T+L writer Rosie Marder. 'It's clear and powerful with no distortions.' Our main issue was with the combination design: the wrap-around kept the headphones secure, but we did feel some discomfort during longer wears from the added pressure points. The Details: .28 ounces | Up to 45 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Around-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds are both comfortable and portable, making them an easy choice for tucking into a jacket pocket or in the outside of our gym bags. The audio is also clear and immersive, whether watching movies or listening to multilayered songs in any genre. The podcast conversations were easy to hear, and we didn't have issues with having to turn the audio up or down depending on what was happening in the episode. 'These are great for listening to music or watching movies with intricate sound design,' noted T+L senior editor Lydia Price. The headphones come with four different silicone ear tips, which made it easy to get a secure fit for workouts. They're also waterproof, which eliminated the stress of avoiding a rainy run or damaging them during a sweaty workout. We had no sore spots or pressure points from the in-ear portions, and phone audio was very clear regardless of how the microphones were positioned. These don't have the best battery life out of the headphones we tested, so they're best for shorter wear and wouldn't be our first choice for a full workday or long-haul flight. The Details: 0.21 ounces | Up to 8 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Google $229 $193 at Amazon View on Walmart View on We've used both generations of the Pixel Buds Pro, and the 2 is a noticeable upgrade from the original model. The touch/gesture options to control the headphones mirror the controls for the Pixel Buds 1, but the new version responds faster and more reliably. We also love that the 2 allows auto-pause when one earbud is removed, which was technically a feature on the 1 but suffered delays and glitches. We appreciated the moderate amount of features and menus (via the unit and the app) that offered plenty of options without feeling overdone, and the noise cancellation was effective during everything from riding the train to staying distraction-free at work. Comfort is also a noticeable upgrade from the previous version. Our ears would start to get a little sore from the size and shape of the earbuds on the older model, but we were able to wear the PB2 for hours without feeling discomfort. These have a slimmer profile that reduces pressure without losing security, and we barely felt like we had anything in, which was especially nice in 'transparency' mode. Overall, the sound is balanced, the battery life is more than adequate, and these might have the best upgrade between versions of anything we've tested. The Details: 0.14 ounces | Up to 30 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $450 at Amazon View on Walmart View on These highly cushioned headphones paired easily and were customizable via the JBL app, though we loved how the app wasn't required for pairing. These also come with a nifty transmitter, which allows you to join two headphones for listening to the same source, or to connect to an output source without Bluetooth (think: game system or airplane TV). We didn't find this super intuitive, but 'once you get the hang of it, it's a nifty feature and all the cords that you need to use the transmitter are included,' reported T+L editor Jasmine Grant. Along with high sound quality, these were some of the most comfortable headphones we tested. The ear cups were plush and pillowy, but didn't feel bulky like other highly cushioned models. They slip on and off without pulling, and the headband is springy and generously sized so it didn't squeeze our heads and ears during all-day wear. The noise cancellation mode was more than sufficient for listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and the treble, bass, and even acoustic and lighter music felt full and rich. These give almost a 'surround sound' feel in noise cancellation mode, and we plan to take these on our upcoming flights this season. The Details: 9.8 ounces | Up to 70 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $349 at Amazon View on When it comes to noise cancellation, white noise, and comfort, the Ozlo Sleepbuds are my top choice for sleeping headphones. 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McBride was especially hyped about where the headband expands, 'where the speakers connect to the headband, rather than at the middle.' This expansion includes a brushed metallic metal core that matches the color of the logo and details on each speaker, which makes them look sleek and stylish when fully expanded. The headphones did slip a little during weight-lifting sessions, but once they were tightened down, they stayed in place well. They felt quite light for the size, though the over-ear portion is a bit bulkier than others we've tested. The sound quality was also impressive, allowing clear layers of music while on busy streets, running errands, or even listening passively to podcasts. That said, we appreciate a good bass and reverb, and the resonance was somewhat lacking in that regard. We played around with the EQ presets for somewhat deeper sound, but overall our complaints are minor for the comfort and features of these relatively affordable headphones. The Details: 10.3 ounces | Up to 60 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | On-ear | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $49 at Amazon View on Walmart View on The Soundcore Space A40 were my only earbuds on a 500-mile Colorado Trail backpacking trip where weight, battery life, and weatherproofing were critical. These worked so well and were so convenient, I couldn't believe they didn't cost more. These buds were also a favorite among T+L editors thanks to their combination of value, extended battery life, and resonant sound quality that belied their small size and reasonable price. They were easy to wear for hours at a time, and didn't budge during sweaty hikes or inclement weather. I wore them in downpours on the Colorado Trail, and the T+L team even tested them in the shower with no adverse effects. I was able to wipe them off and tucked them back in the case to charge after wearing them in the rain. They provide up to 50 hours of listening on a fully charged case, and 10 hours at a time, which was more than enough for a day of hiking. The Details: 0.63 ounces | Up to 10 hours of battery | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Earbuds | Noise cancellation | Built-in microphone Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $20 $16 at Amazon View on These bright, fun headphones have been perfect for road trips, audiobooks, and kid's music, with a simple AUX cord plug-in that works with any device with a headphone jack port. The cord comes with a safety-minded noise limiter, and we were able to toggle between 85 and 95 decibels for max volume. These were comfortable for our pint-size tester to wear for several hours at a time, with nicely cushioned ear cups and a simple design that didn't feel too high tech or intimidating. The materials are lightweight but still durable, and even though these took a few falls during the test period, they suffered no dings or damage. They also come in a variety of fun colors that even the adults were jealous of. Even though the price is quite reasonable, there were no wiring glitches and the sound was clear through both ears. The Details: 6.7 ounces | Wired connectivity | On-ear | Volume Limited Hearing Protection Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure