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High-tech Cars Replacing Driver Skill?
Nick writes "What happens when you take a bunch of average drivers, put them in a car with no high-tech systems like anti-lock brakes and traction control, and ask them to drive on a safety test track? 360-degree spins, of course. And not only do today's drivers need ABS and traction control to keep their cars under control, it also turns out most drivers can't even name the high tech safety systems that are continually saving their butts. And to make matters worse, carmakers plan to install automatic radar-based blind-spot checkers so motorists can avoid looking over their shoulders while changing lanes. Even geeks find some of these technologies scary, including Wired's Bruce Gain, who drove Mercedes' S-Class with automatic braking."
AS a cyclist commuter, I am particularly concerned about being creamed by an unaware driver with an overdependence upon technology...
Overall, i think the human race has developed an over-dependence on technology to survive... Humans who should have removed themselves from the gene pool long ago are still propagating their DNA...
Don't get upset at me just because I am temporarily preventing you from speeding. It's called the passing lane, not the speeding lane.
Whether the person behind you is speeding or not isn't the issue. YOU are breaking the law.
Have you ever seen those black and white signs that say something to the effect of "Slower traffic move to the right" or "Left lane for passing"? Those are the law - not just a suggestion (like yellow caution signs, etc.).
You are impeding the flow of traffic, and that is illegal. There are times when you can't move to the right - congested freeways, etc. However, if you can move to the right to allow cars to pass, and you don't, you are breaking the law, whether the car behind you is going the speed limit or not. So - get off your high horse (or cell phone) and get the hell out of the way!
Don't believe me? Ask any highway patrolman about whether it's illegal to not yield to faster traffic. Sure they'd want to ticket the dude going 15+ MPH over the speed limit first, but if they're going 5-10 over, and you're going the speed limit in the high lane and not moving out of the way, they'd write you the ticket. That is, of course, if they had more time (i.e. not changing flat tires for incapable people, etc.).