A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Driver assistance technologies take over part of the driving task—usually braking or steering—to help you avoid a crash. Convenience technologies just make driving easier, and they are not allowed during the driving test.
Automatic emergency braking / brake assist
Senses slow or stopped traffic or an object ahead and urgently applies the brakes if you fail to brake or steer.
Alerts you if you drift; if you don't act, it may gently steer you back. Nudging the wheel cancels it. It won't work when lane lines are faint or covered with snow or dirt.
Monitors oncoming traffic during low-speed left turns (e.g., at a light). If the gap is too small it stops the vehicle moving forward, and it can brake automatically.
Finds a spot and guides you in; you may be told to pull ahead, shift into reverse, and take your hands off the wheel. You remain responsible for braking.
You're on a highway where snow covers the lane lines. Don't count on lane keeping assist—it won't work when lines are covered. Keep both hands on the wheel, hold your lane yourself, and leave cruise control off.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How can you cancel lane keeping assist if it begins steering the vehicle?
Nudge the steering wheel
Press the brake pedal hard
Press the cruise control button
Press the accelerator
Answer: Nudge the steering wheel
Lane keeping assist is easily cancelled by nudging the wheel.