Simply linking the cars wouldn’t be enough to address an issue like this though. They still need to individually recognize something like the debris this car ran over and deal with it appropriately.

If cars are linked to share data like this then I can easily see a scenario where one model of car with really good sensors sends a warning saying “hey, there’s road debris here”. But subsequent cars still need to be able to see it and avoid it as well. If the sensors in a following car aren’t as good as the sensors in the first car then that second car could still strike it.

Debris doesn’t remain stationary. Each vehicle that hits it will move it, possibly break it into multiple pieces, etc. And eventually, either through that process or by a person moving it, it will cease being a hazard.

Anything but proper training, testing, and enforcement.

I have a particular gripe against lane keep assist. When it was active on cars I've rented... on the mountain passes just outside of the Vancouver Area, it went off way too often, since the lines would get blurry, or you have to stay clear of oncoming trucks around a curve meaning you have to go to the shoulder a bit. Also giving space when passing bicycle riders on the shoulder you (after checking of course), move to the centre just a tad.

Making these features more annoying would lead to alarm fatigue more than better behaviour.

My dad's Mercedes indeed beeps incredibly loudly (anyone sleeping immediately wakes up in a panic) if the blind spot sensor goes off... which it does as soon as you put your blinker on.

Guess what that wonderful bit of tech taught my dad to do? That's right, don't use the blinker to change lanes if you don't want your eardrums blown out.

The fundamental problem is that car manufacturers aren't being held liable for the accidents caused directly or indirectly by these "safety" systems. There is zero oversight and no mandate to investigate false positives of these systems, even when they cause an accident. The end result is that for the manufacturers the point is not to improve safety but to do obnoxious safety theater so regulators look away from rising pedestrian deaths. "Sure our cars are one ton heavier, but they have automatic braking soooo we're good right?"

Who knows if these gadgets actually do anything or even if they don't decrease overall safety. The manufacturer gets positive marketing, throws the regulator off their scent, and isn't held liable for shit when the "safety" system fails or encourages bad habits. Win-win-win. Except the general public loses. But who ever cared about these schmucks?

Accidents per miles driven takes successful trips into account.

This will sound ridiculous and I’m not claiming it’s even a valid feeling, but I’d rather die by my own hand with my input being involved than to have a safety system fail and have no involvement from me.

At least then I know there was some action I could have maybe taken to prevent it. But when it’s a safety system (still under heavy development) that fails, I’d feel way more cheated. Someone convinced me I would be safe and now they’ve lied.