This is from the times:
Safety devices 'dull reactions'
Electronic safety systems designed to minimise human error could actually make drivers more dangerous by lulling them into a false sense of security.
The effect, dubbed “highway hypnosis” by researchers, is a state of mind brought about by reduced stress and drivers having little to do.
A study at Brunel University looked at the effects of two systems: adaptive cruise control (ACC), which electronically maintains a safe distance from the car in front, and active steering (AS), which monitors the white lines in the road and adjusts the steering to keep the car in lane.
Researchers tested 44 drivers in a simulator to see how quickly they would respond to an emergency.
When both safety systems were switched on, their reaction times were considerably slower.
“If a driver has little to do the capacity to respond to unexpected events is dramatically reduced,” said Mark Young, who led the research.
What it doesn't say is whether the AAC meant they were travelling a greater distance behind other vehicles so there would have been the same response distance as they were slower but had a greater distance to react within.
teabelly
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Any esperienced driver knows this without needing to learn it from experience.
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Years ago,before seat-belts were compulsoty or even recommended,we had a car fitted with full-harness.You were held so firmly in your seat that you braked and cornered harder.
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Any esperienced driver knows this without needing to learn it from experience.
eh? :D
Surely if they know it because they're an experienced driver, then they HAVE learned it from experience? ;)
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>> Any esperienced driver knows this without needing to learn it from >> experience. >> eh? :D Surely if they know it because they're an experienced driver, then they HAVE learned it from experience? ;)
Er, in a way, but by inference from what experience they have rather than by direct experience of these self-driving modern wonders, if you see what I mean... For example moving from a taut well-handling car to a more ordinary one, that sort of thing.
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What if though, all these fancy saftey features failed...
You would be so used to the ACC working for you, so lets say it suddenly didnt work and then you would go piling into the back of the car in front...
Being a good driver is being in control of your car at ALL times, i personally see no need for such devices, as you should be able to control your car no matter what.
Take for example AS, you should be good enough, to control the car in a straight line, if the car drifts over becasue you are to tired to concentrate on your driving then you should not be driving.
I like being in control of my car, i dont like having things do what i am supposed to do for me, when i get behind the wheel its my job to control the car, and ensure it gets me to where i want to go safely and within the law.
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1983 (A) Vauxhall Astra 1.3L
1993 (K) Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0i GLS
1999 (T) Renault Laguna 1.6
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If, in a few years time, you find yourself on "autopilot" doing 80 on a M-way...
Then, as you idly look in the mirror, you notice that the car 50yds behind is a Renault, also running with "hands-free motoring"... and you suddenly realize that the only thing stopping him smashing into the back of you are his "ultra-reliable" French electronics....
[You'd be even more worried if you knew that his system had malfunctioned three times already; but his dealer had repeatedly told him "no fault found!"]
I can see a whole new market opening up for giant bull-bars on the BACK of cars!
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Electronic safety systems designed to minimise human error could actually make drivers more dangerous by lulling them into a false sense of security
Now I can believe that is true. In cars it can be so easy to lose concentration, it's human nature for our minds to wander sometimes and the less we have to concentrate on, the more we tend to daydream. I think that these systems (whilst made with good intentions) can draw us into a sense of complacency (read: invincibility) when driving, as we believe that if we mess up "the car will fix it for us", which can be very dangerous when we're proved wrong.
This is the main reason why i enjoy driving a "basic" car, with virtually no safety systems of any kind (good old Metro's). The only thing i do wish it had however is ABS.
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Interesting one this. I certainly drive more carefully when in my 16 year old Pug 205.
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Another thing that made me think was reading the NCAP report for my car (a fantastic 1 star). Essentially if i crash it at faster than about 40mph then i'll probably die, or at least have massive internal injuries. Knowing things like that certainly does make you more careful on those winding country roads.
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i like big cars for this very reason ,not bothered about toys so long as car is maintained and rot free.
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