Jun 3, 2026
Drivers have mixed feelings about driver attention systems, a new safety feature offered by carmakers. Designed to keep a driver’s eyes on the road, they work by analyzing driving patterns, lane deviations, and even eyeballs.
Subaru’s driver attention system uses an infrared camera to track your head and eyes when you drive. It chimes when focus drifts. The tech is spreading fast because it is claimed to have the potential to prevent deaths from distraction and drowsiness, of which roughly 4,000 were reported in 2023, according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Advertisement
Some drivers hate it. Alex Dodd, a Subaru driver and content creator, said on Tiktok that his system is way too sensitive. He said it would tell him to “keep your eyes on the road” when he looked out the window briefly or changed his Spotify playlist. “I get the idea of it, but this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in a car,” Dodd said. Moneywise has reached out to Dodd for comment.
Drivers on a Subaru forum page expressed dissatisfaction with the system. “You can be facing the road constantly and it will still alarm,” one poster wrote.
In a statement to Moneywise, Subaru Product Communications Manager Aaron Cole said, “We consistently listen to our customers and continually revise and improve DriverFocus to improve recognition and performance in varying conditions, including low light and direct sunlight, drivers wearing sunglasses, and other situations. DriverFocus was first introduced in the U.S. in 2019 and has been continuously improved across multiple models since.”
He added, “Drivers can disable DriverFocus.”
Drivers complain about attention alerts, but most don’t switch them off
Complaints about driver attention systems are industry-wide. A JD Power survey found more than one in ten problems with new vehicles were related to advanced driver assistance systems. The top issue: excessive or malfunctioning vehicle alerts like the ones Dodd identified.
“The biggest issue consumers have with advanced driver assistance systems is that the alerts are annoying and bothersome,” Ashley Edgar, a senior director at JD Power, said. Complaints about the tech had grown from 2019 to 2024, when the report was released.
Despite complaints, most drivers seem to appreciate the potentially life-saving technology. An IIHS study found 87% kept Subaru’s DriverFocus system turned on most or all of the time. The study also found 70% want it in their next car, and 64% say it makes them safer.
“Such a high level of acceptance for a system designed to keep drivers’ attention on the road is a bit surprising and very encouraging,” said IIHS President David Harkey. The organization suggests the hate comes from drivers misunderstanding what the system is detecting.
Advertisement
“We do a lot of things behind the wheel almost unconsciously, without thinking that they’re unsafe,” IIHS Research Scientist Aimee Cox said, like changing lanes without signalling or looking away from the road to adjust the radio.
Newer system designs make the feature a little harder to turn off and a lot less annoying for the driver,” Cox said.
Must Read
- You can now build wealth like a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to chase down rent or take 3 A.M tenant calls
- Goldman Sachs used to hoard prime real estate deals for the ultrarich. Two ex-analysts just opened the door for $250
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Can you turn off your car’s driver attention system?
Usually, you can turn off the system.
Some drivers have had difficulty turning off the feature permanently. Registered drivers may want to check out the short YouTube video showing Subaru drivers how to disable it.
Settings vary by brand. The Kia owner’s manual indicates the Driver Attention Warning system may be turned off by default, and it remains disabled while turned off. Ford support says the Driver Alert System remains disabled between ignition cycles.
The surest opt-out is at the dealership. The in-cabin camera is usually bundled into higher trims, like the 2025 Subaru Outback Limited. Drivers could skip the DriverFocus feature by going with a different trim. The catch is you’ll lose the fancier trim’s other features, too.
This option might not last. A new federal rule, passed in 2021, is in the works that will require carmakers to include passive driver-monitoring tech in all new cars. Automakers missed a deadline for that, but a new one has been set for 2027, so drivers have some time to buy new cars without the alert system.
You May Also Like
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
- Robert Kiyosaki issues grim warning for baby boomers. Many could be ‘wiped out’ and homeless ‘all over’ the country. How to protect yourself now
Cole Tretheway has been covering money for four years. He started as an intern at The Motley Fool Money, covering best-of credit cards, savings accounts, and financial products. He's since expanded into wholistic personal finances, including the psychology of money.
