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 Why driving a safe car makes sense

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dares
post Feb 7 2017, 07:04 PM

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QUOTE(kadajawi @ Feb 7 2017, 06:31 AM)
Self braking has helped me already... it wouldn't have been a serious crash, but the car managed to react faster than I did. That is no surprise... humans have a very slow reaction time, the only advantage humans have is being able to see more/understand more and predict what is going to happen. However there are situations where you can't predict. That's where the computer helps.

Also the adaptive cruise control helps me save fuel and drive more consistent.

Lane assist has saved me a couple of times (keep in mind that I do sometimes drive 1500 km a day, and that it often is not possible to find a place to rest for 20, 30 minutes, sometimes even hours as lorry drivers are forced to rest at night here, and all car parks are completely blocked by lorries). There's no way I'd want to drive without it anymore. (And no, I don't drive any different from when I didn't have those assistants, guess I was lucky (and drove less back then). Also if I am this tired, I'll try to rest ASAP.
Never tried that, though I'd expect understeer. I think It'd corner better than a car without stability control though.
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There is this Taiwan car review youtube channel that I watch. The host always emphasize on safety, encourages the viewer to buy safer cars and is not shy about criticizing carmakers when their safety is not up to par.

At the same time, he always repeat that these safety features are only there to assist, not replace the driver. NEVER rely on these safety assists so much that you cannot drive properly without them, which from what I understand from your post, is exactly what's happening to you.

Please make sure you are up for the driving ahead, never rely completely on these systems. One day you may be driving a car without these features, and in your drowsy state failed to realize you don't have the safety net you depended so much on, to keep you away from the ditch. nod.gif

This post has been edited by dares: Feb 7 2017, 07:05 PM
dares
post Feb 8 2017, 02:02 AM

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QUOTE(ktek @ Feb 8 2017, 01:26 AM)
嘉伟哥 ah
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haha yep
dares
post Feb 8 2017, 11:23 AM

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QUOTE(kadajawi @ Feb 8 2017, 03:34 AM)
Not every day. But usually 4 times a year I do. Every day I drive 190 km... in the morning 85, in the evening after a long work day another 85.

I can drive properly without the safety features, and I don't drive differently. I have caught the car last minute before I had the safety tech. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I nap away even though I'm fully awake just minutes earlier, and can't even sleep if I try to. I try not to rely on the safety tech, cause I know there can be a road section without markings, there can be dirt in front of the camera, or really heavy rain/fog can disturb the system too... . But so far this tech has worked almost always (there's also a little icon telling me when it sees road markings). Even if you only ever need it once, you'll be glad that you've had it when that time comes.

And what the reviewer is saying is what I am trying to say, too. I'd like to add that you never know when you may need it. You may be the best, safest, most attentive driver in the world. But at some point you may get distracted, you may be a bit tired and can't find a place to stop/don't realize you're getting tired. Something completely surprising and unexpected can happen... remember the poor cop that had something drop from a lorry in front of him? How can you predict that happening? The computer would slam the brakes much faster than a surprised human being can.

Btw., we do have reached the point where some self driving cars are safer drivers than humans. Tesla is there for example, and Google is years ahead of Tesla.

Oh, and I'd like to know: When you change lanes, do you turn your head to the side to see if there's a car in the blind spot?
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Nice to have, but not an excuse to shirk from one's responsibility as a driver. You can't exactly tell the police...."I was distracted, but my auto city braking was suppose to stop the car!!" then you serve a Letter of Demand to the carmaker and the car in front for stopping too quickly whistling.gif

Yes, I do turn my head quickly and glance sideways to make sure there are no cars before I change lanes.

 

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