Sept 17 (Reuters) - Drivers are more likely to engage in

non-driving activities, such as checking their phones or eating

a sandwich, when using partial automation systems, with some

easily skirting rules set to limit distractions, new research

showed on Tuesday.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted

month-long studies with two such systems - Tesla's

Autopilot and Volvo's Pilot Assist - to examine

driver behavior when the technology was in use and how it

evolved over time.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

While launching and commercializing driverless taxis have

been tougher than expected, major automakers are in a race to

deploy technology that partially automates routine driving tasks

to make it easier and safer for drivers, and generate revenue

for the companies.

The rush has sparked concerns and litigation around the

dangers of driver distraction and crashes involving such

technology.

The studies show better safeguards are needed to ensure

attentive driving, IIHS said in the report.

CONTEXT

Partial automation - a level of "advanced driver assistance

systems" - uses cameras, sensors and software to regulate the

speed of the car based on other vehicles on the road and keep it

in the center of the lane. Some enable lane changing

automatically or when prompted.

Drivers, however, are required to continuously monitor the

road and be ready to take over at any time, with most systems

needing them to keep their hands on the wheel.

KEY QUOTES

"These results are a good reminder of the way people learn,"

said IIHS President David Harkey. "If you train them to think

that paying attention means nudging the steering wheel every few

seconds, then that's exactly what they'll do."

"In both these studies, drivers adapted their behavior to

engage in distracting activities," Harkey said. "This

demonstrates why partial automation systems need more robust

safeguards to prevent misuse."

BY THE NUMBERS

The study with Tesla's Autopilot used 14 people who drove

over 12,000 miles (19,300 km) with the system, triggering 3,858

attention-related warnings. On average, drivers responded in

about three seconds, usually by nudging the steering wheel,

mostly preventing an escalation.

The study with Volvo's Pilot Assist had 29 volunteers who

were found to be distracted for 30% of the time while using the

system - "exceedingly high" according to the authors.