Many Brits are only just realising what tiny 'off' button actually does in car

A motoring influencer has drawn attention to an often overlooked button you've probably seen in your car that keeps you exactly where you're meant to be on the road.

The TikTok video from @DrivingTestSuccess is nothing more than a short and simple message alongside an image of a car dashboard with a question overlaid in text: “Do you know what this button is for? Leave your answers in the comments!”

'Lane assist' is the button in question — a feature found in most motors. Although the social media video relies on viewer interaction and community discussion rather than providing the answer itself, it does highlight a useful piece of driving technology drivers old and new should be aware of.

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Also known as 'lane keeping assist' and 'lane departure warning', lane assist is designed to help drivers stay safely within their own lane. When activated, the system uses sensors or cameras — often mounted near the rear-view mirror or integrated into the vehicle's front camera — to monitor the road markings.

These sensors or cameras can see where the white or yellow lines on the road in front of your car are. Some of the newer systems don't even need the lines — they can work out where the lane is based on the road layout and positions of the verge and hard shoulder.

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If the car begins to drift across lane lines unintentionally — as in without the driver signalling — the system kicks in. The intervention works in different ways, depending on the manufacturer.

Some cars give a simple visual or audible warning to alert the driver, while others take control and actively steer the car back into position. Advanced systems can also combine steering assistance with light braking adjustments.

Lane assist was introduced to improve road safety. Many accidents occur when drivers lose concentration, become drowsy, or are briefly distracted and drift from their lane.

For new drivers, this feature is especially valuable. Learning to maintain consistent lane positioning while dealing with traffic, signs and other distractions can be challenging. And even for experienced drivers, the system provides peace of mind on monotonous motorway stretches.

However, it's of the utmost importance to understand that lane assist is no substitute for being a careful, conscious and considerate road user. The system is an aid — never an autopilot.

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