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Should people be trained to use cruise control safely?
Some many years ago I was employed in the ‘Met’ as a traffic officer and trained at Hendon Driving School where I attained certificates as advanced motorcyclist, car driver and vehicle examiner. I am incidentally a member of the IAM and recently took another test to ensure my personal safety and that of others on the road. I now live in the countryside and enjoy the use of my cruise control operating it as a regular part of my driving. However, I note that there is no mention of its use in the Highway Code and only a passing reference to driver use, apart from how it is operated in booklets issued by vehicle manufacturers.
Recently, an article appeared relating to an incident where a lady was driving slowly in heavy rain and used cruise control to maintain a steady speed. Apparently, her car then began to aquaplane and the cruise control increased her speed until the tyres hit a more solid surface and propelled the car into a tree. Have you heard of similar instances and should more emphasis be placed on the use of cruise control during inclement weather?
Recently, an article appeared relating to an incident where a lady was driving slowly in heavy rain and used cruise control to maintain a steady speed. Apparently, her car then began to aquaplane and the cruise control increased her speed until the tyres hit a more solid surface and propelled the car into a tree. Have you heard of similar instances and should more emphasis be placed on the use of cruise control during inclement weather?
Asked on 19 October 2013 by BN, Royal Wootton Bassett
Answered by
Honest John
That is a story that came from the USA and did the rounds a few years ago, then became revived as one of those strange, alarmist, chain emails that occur from time to time. What the woman described could only happen if the car was ‘old tech’ rear-wheel drive and the speed sensor operated on the front wheels. On a front-drive car, the speed sensor operates on the drivetrain, so measures the speed from the driven wheels anyway. Besides which, proper, modern cruise control in a car loaded with ABS, ESP, DSC and all the other acronyms will automatically decouple the cruise control if it detects slippage, as my rear drive F30 320dED did on the M1 once last year.
The biggest problem with non-adaptive cruise control is driver reluctance to use 'cancel'. Too many of them get too close to the car in front (usually because something is overtaking them), then have to brake to decouple the cruise. Using 'cancel' is much simpler, encourages the driver to anticipate, and puts control of the car back to his right foot to regain the lost speed when safe to do so. I agree, education on the use of cruise control would be a good idea.
The biggest problem with non-adaptive cruise control is driver reluctance to use 'cancel'. Too many of them get too close to the car in front (usually because something is overtaking them), then have to brake to decouple the cruise. Using 'cancel' is much simpler, encourages the driver to anticipate, and puts control of the car back to his right foot to regain the lost speed when safe to do so. I agree, education on the use of cruise control would be a good idea.
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