Last April in South Korea, a car traveling at 135 km/h (84 mph) crashed into a stationary construction vehicle, instantly killing the driver. The shocking detail was that the vehicle’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system was active.
The driver, believing the ACC would automatically adjust speed and maintain a safe distance, was caught off guard. However, the ACC failed to recognize the stopped vehicle as a hazard, making the collision inevitable.
According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, ACC-related highway accidents have surged in recent years. From one incident in 2020 and 2021, numbers jumped to five in 2022, four in 2023, and twelve in 2024. Eleven fatalities in 2024 alone underscore the severity, with most accidents proving fatal.
A clear pattern emerges where collisions occur when ACC fails to detect stationary objects, such as construction vehicles, accident response vehicles, or those stopped on the shoulder. Despite experts warning about the technology’s vulnerability, many drivers continue to treat ACC as a fully autonomous driving system.
The experts emphasize that ACC does not function as an autonomous driving system. It acts as a driver assistance feature that may fail in special vehicles, temporary control zones, or stationary situations. While enhancing convenience, it does not guarantee complete safety. The technology’s limitations, combined with drivers’ overconfidence, often lead to accidents. Expecting the car to stop on its own becomes particularly dangerous in construction zones or unexpected situations.
To combat this issue, the government installed warning posters at rest areas and drowsy driving stops, urging drivers to stay alert and switch to manual control when needed. Despite these efforts, many drivers misinterpret ACC as semi-autonomous driving and let their guard down.
Ultimately, responsibility rests with the driver. No matter how advanced the technology, safety can’t be guaranteed if its limitations are ignored. The warnings have been clear and plentiful. Now, drivers must take action and stay vigilant.
