First-Time Driver Tries “Smart Driving” for the Thrill, Goes Hands-Free and Triggers Auto-Slowdown—Rear-Ended by a Heavy Truck

Fast Technology reported on February 7 that when trying a brand-new feature for the first time, drivers should do their homework and understand how it works before using it on the road. Acting rashly can easily lead to unexpected and dangerous situations.

According to a case shared by the Traffic Management Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security, an incident occurred on February 1 on the Zhangji Expressway in Jiangxi Province. A driver surnamed Pei was traveling in the slow lane with a friend as a passenger when the vehicle suddenly decelerated and came to a stop. A heavy truck behind them was unable to avoid the car in time and slammed into it from the rear.

The collision damaged both vehicles, with Pei’s car suffering particularly severe damage. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Police investigation found that Pei obtained a driver’s license in August 2025 and was still within the probationary period for new drivers. The vehicle he was driving was borrowed—originally purchased by a relative of a friend—and had been owned for only about two months.

At the time of the crash, Pei reportedly wanted to “try out” the vehicle’s intelligent driving feature. After he removed both hands from the steering wheel, the system failed to detect driver grip and activated a safety mechanism, automatically slowing down and stopping the vehicle—ultimately triggering the accident.

Traffic police determined that Pei bore full responsibility for the incident. Authorities also emphasized that current “intelligent driving” systems remain driver-assistance technologies designed for human-machine co-driving, and have not reached the level of fully autonomous driving without human intervention.

Officials reminded drivers that when using such features, it’s essential to understand activation conditions and scenarios where the system may be limited or should not be used. More importantly, drivers must comply with regulations by staying fully attentive, keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, and remaining ready to take over control at any moment.