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New research has found that millions of drivers around the UK are unaware of how to use some of the most common features in a car.
In total, 41 per cent of people surveyed could not recognise basic cruise control warning lights.
Experts are warning that this could have serious repercussions as the UK prepares to give the green light to advanced self-driving systems.
The research found that many drivers struggle to understand what the various dashboard lights mean and the impact they can have on the vehicle.
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Many drivers cannot recognise important warning signs, new research has shown
It found that drivers could not identify the lane assist indicator (41 per cent), cruise control warning (33 per cent), and the car distance indicator (28 per cent).
Antony Diggins, managing director at Warrantywise, said: “Modern vehicles are more connected and capable than ever – but that complexity isn’t always matched by driver knowledge or confidence.
“Dashboard alerts are designed to keep us safe, but they’re only effective if drivers know what they mean – and act on them.”
Experts have described the growing trend of including more connected and smart features in vehicles as “tech overload”.
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The experts called on drivers to ensure they recognise key warning lights
They see the increasingly complex digital systems as creating barriers and problems, rather than making the driving experience more convenient.
A previous study found that almost two-thirds of motorists don’t regularly use the advanced features in their vehicles.
Almost a quarter of people said they had turned off driver assist functions, with many citing confusion or distraction as the main reason for turning them off.
Diggins highlighted how some connected vehicles can have more than 100 million lines of software code, which is more than a modern fighter jet.
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He noted that this can make it difficult and expensive to diagnose any issues that may be present.
The expert called on drivers not to ignore any concerns they may have about their vehicles and to take the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic.
The research emphasises this, as many drivers cannot correctly identify warning lights in their cars, potentially delaying how soon the issue can be resolved.
Diggins added: “Technology is a brilliant thing when it works, but even something as simple as not recognising a warning light can cause drivers to delay action.
“Vehicles may be getting smarter, but we believe peace of mind should still be simple.”
It comes as the Government is currently running a consultation to look at the next steps towards giving the green light to self-driving vehicles on UK roads.
The consultation is looking at how the Government can make the rollout of autonomous vehicles safe and accessible for all road users.
The self-driving industry, which is expected to be worth £42billion over the next 10 years, has been backed by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, describing the sector as “exciting”.