4 Reasons to Love Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control allows the car to adjust its speed when highway traffic slows or speeds up—so you don’t have to

Adaptive Cruise Control on a 2014 Chevy Impala Makes The Drive to Arizona A Breeze

Test driving the new 2014 Chevrolet Impala was filled with a lot of fun. Aside from the delight in seeing how the Impala has been redesigned and updated, we discovered we would be able to test out full-speed-range adaptive cruise control during our drive to Arizona.

I will be honest – I was skeptical.

So I set out to put adaptive cruise control to the ultimate test  – a six hour drive with long hills to climb scattered with more semis than any driver wants to encounter on a two-lane highway.

Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control is a safety check for distracted drivers

Here are four reasons you will enjoy everything that adaptive cruise control offers:

1. Reduces Driver Stress

Adaptive cruise control uses a forward-looking radar to address the repetitive task of braking and accelerating.  Drivers choose from one of three gaps at which they are comfortable following the car ahead of them.  The system then automatically maintains the desired cruise control speed while auto accelerating and braking to maintain the desired gap.

Upon setting my desired gap, I set my speed to one that I knew would keep up with traffic but also require adaptive cruise control to work a bit at braking and moderating speed.

Within minutes, it became abundantly clear that my stress level was dropping quickly.  By reducing the number of repeated stops and starts I needed to make in heavy California traffic,  I could sit back and enjoy the driving experience more than otherwise.  For drivers that commute daily or multiple times a week for jobs, this system offers much need stress reduction.

2. Keeps you Safe when Distracted

From dealing with cars that pulled out in front of me to toll booths, adaptive cruise control reduced from speeds of 79mph to 5mph with ease.  An additional benefit of adaptive cruise control is that is truly does keep you safe when you are distracted.

Let’s face it – even the best of us peek down at our phone to see an alert or to review route directions.  When a driver is using adaptive cruise control, the risk of an accident is significantly reduced as a driver shifts his attention for even a split second.  Imagine seeing the number of someone very important come through on your hands-free system in your car.  Even with both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, you are distracted.   As you answer the call and shift attention to the conversation, those moments where you catch yourself suddenly following too close or slamming on the brakes are reduced with the safety put in place by adaptive cruise control.

3. Increases Driver Comfort

An additional benefit of adaptive cruise control is definitely driver comfort.  On any length of drive, shifting posture and leg positions allows blood to circulate better and increases overall comfort.  Adaptive cruise control allows you to make these changes when you need to while knowing that your car is in safe hands.

Keep in mind that as a driver you still need to remain 100% engaged and responsible, but to know you can shift around, do some leg movements and get a little break while behind the wheel is a welcome improvement to the behind the wheel experience.

4. Provides a Sneak Peek at the Future

Both my husband and I could not help but get a little giddy when driving the 2014 Chevy Impala.  To know that we were getting even a small glimpse into our the future of driving with self-driving cars was pretty exciting.

Automated cars are coming – it’s simply a matter of when.

Sit behind the wheel of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala with adaptive cruise control and experience a taste of what it will be like while you realize all of the benefits this technology provides for drivers.

Amy Barseghian
Amy Barseghian

Amy Barseghian, founder of OC Mentor, has been a social media influencer and blogger since 2008. A mom of two, Amy shares news, reviews and tips with her readers in Southern California and beyond, advises small businesses on social strategy through Social Halo Media, and is a featured video influencer at MomTV.

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