Some cars' systems designed to keep drivers' eyes on the road fail - AAA study

FILE PHOTO: Cars travel north towards Los Angeles on Interstate highway 5 in San Diego, California February 10, 2016. Picture taken February 10. REUTERS/Mike Blake

(Reuters) - Some vehicles equipped with automated assistance technology aimed at keeping drivers alert and watching the road fail at that job, an American Automobile Association study found on Tuesday.

The AAA study said monitoring systems that rely only on how drivers' handle the steering wheel were not successful. Those that use cameras to monitor drivers' eye and head position were significantly more effective at keeping drivers focused while vehicle software is engaged.