[firemanspock]

The problem is that you can't fix stupid. It is possible to make them stupider though. My first thought about lots of safety features is the false sense of security it will give some people. Don't get me wrong, I think many safety features are great to have. Seatbelts and airbags obviously. Not that it makes you careless, but in the event of something happening, it minimizes the risk of injury. A backup camera and backup sensors are basically just an extra set of eyes that are helpful when backing out, which is a low speed thing anyway.

But something that is meant to actually step in and prevent a collision in the first place? Im 100% against that. As a driver, you need to be in control of your vehicle. You need to be aware of your surroundings. At my job I see many vehicle collisions. And it is a very rare thing to see one that was a true accident, (accident meaning it was in fact unavoidable). Most of the time, it was completely avoidable had the person just not been doing something stupid. I think that certain "safety" features will give many people a false sense of security, and make them think they can slack off behind the wheel, and that everything will be taken care of. Not all drivers of course.

There are many responsible drivers, who would benefit from such features. But I think there are many more who will just see that as a way to not have to be responsible. Drivers who will think that they can drive under the influence, because even with their slowed reaction time, the car's safety features will make up for their deficiencies. Many truths are a matter of perspective, and most people see the responsible driver scenario with a little assist to help in those rare eventualities. Maybe my perspective is a bit skewed because I just happen to always see the downside to people driving. But from what I see, people are eager to give up their responsibility and blame something else, or trust that their technology will protect them.

Many of us remember hearing our dads say "don't make me stop this car and go back there", because our parents knew to be careful. they didn't have all these safety nets. Maybe people need to go back to that mindset, forget your rush to get somewhere, and focus on getting there safely. If the kids are acting up, pull over and deal with it. Don't allow the distraction to endanger you.

Manufacturers and lawmakers are always trying to fix the machines. Maybe the problem is user error. Fix the user, and the machine might work better. Make a drivers license actually cost something that makes the driver value it. Imagine a system where a high school student had to put in a certain amount of community service in order to qualify for a driver's license... ok better stop now before i really get going...::grin:: Thats my rant for the day. Hope my perspective gives someone something to think about.

 

[firemanspock]

While there might be benefits with implementing it under the conditions we have now, my argument was that by doing this some people might get more complacent and overconfident. It has the potential to make some people more careless, seeing as they would have an added safety net. In the end, chances are the overall numbers would stay the same, or very close. And as far as the studies, who conducted them? Who studied the police reports? Who said that these systems make such a huge difference? Someone impartial, or someone involved in making these products, and who stands to profit from it? Or were they funded by people who stand to make the profit? Call me paranoid, but I've seen useless "safety" products in different applications that were pushed by the manufacturers. People creating a demand for one of their products so they can profit from the rest of us. Im not saying this is the absolute truth behind this story, I'm just curious about knowing more before I put my faith in something that someone else swears by.

 

[firemanspock]

A few years ago I was hit from behind by a motorist when the light had turned green but for some reason things didn't start moving when he expected- he was obviously running his mouth to the rear seat passengers and hit the gas even though traffic was still stopped. The insurance company came close to totaling my car. Technology like this would be able to prevent those kind of accidents. I don't know if this driver would have been more careless if his car had been equipped with this technology, he was pretty careless already.

Sorry that happened. Unfortunately, I see a lot of cases like that. They think a green light means you are required to hit the gas. They don't understand that it just means your lanes have the right of way. And you're right, that kind of system would have prevented a collision like that, but common sense would prevent many more. I've almost been hit a few times while working an accident scene by people who hit the gas when they saw green. I guess my issue is I'd like to see a world where people are held responsible for their carelessness.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[firemanspock]

One more thing to understand is how unintelligent the general population is. In all honesty, a large portion of the driving population should not be driving. Just operating a motor vehicle is task enough for them. While you may be a skilled driver, most people are not. I've been a bicyclist, motorcyclist and a pedestrian for enough years to have seen enough times where the driver of the car "did not see" or was completely zoned out while behind the wheel. Go ahead and add any kind of safety measures to a car.

You said it right, "a large portion of the driving population should not be driving." We don't just give a pilot's license to someone just because they have a pulse. Why do we with a driver's license? You can't make something truly idiot proof. Someone will just make a bigger idiot. If someone is not able to safely drive a motor vehicle, they should not have access to one. We can't just pile on safety features and think that will solve the problem. I believe that improved safety systems, as well as also facing actual consequences will help to make roads safer.

Protecting pedestrians and cyclists from being injured is a great goal. But there also needs to be harsher penalties for people who do something as stupid as slamming into a parked car just because they saw the color green flash in front of them.

The following is what was left once I realized I was starting on a rant again... ::grin::

A speeding ticket - while in my personal vehicle, not on the clock - once cost me my job. It took me 6 years to recover financially from that. No property damage, no bodily injury, just a speeding violation. I made a mistake, what the state referred to as, "An isolated instance of poor judgement." I'm not here to argue my innocence. I paid for that mistake, and I learned my lesson. I drive the speed limit, and make sure to stay as aware as I can behind the wheel. My wife likes to call me when she's on the way home from work. I tell her to hang up, drive safely, and we can talk when she's home. I don't expect others to be any more responsible than what I'm already willing to be.