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High-tech Cars Replacing Driver Skill?

Posted by samzenpus on from the assisted-parking dept.

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."

4 of 805 comments (clear)

  1. FRIST POSTTTTTTTTT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    AKFDFH I WIN
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    Drivers increasingly take for granted the technologies that keep their car under control in dangerous situations, according to a new study. Fewer than 30 of those questioned in a recent survey knew what anti-lock brakes were, and less than 5 percent understood traction control. To test some skills of the average driver, the U.K.'s Times newspaper brought along a 15-year-old BMW 3-series devoid of every modern safety feature and asked some regular drivers to take it through the test track at the Graham Griffiths of Ultimate Car Control training school. While all the drivers were able to drive their modern Volvos, Hondas, and Subarus successfully in all conditions, they failed when forced to drive the classic car. "Even these self-confessed petrolheads were unable to control their cars without the aid of ABS." And without traction control, many of the drivers "swung about wildly," heading into Drivers increasingly take for granted the technologies that keep their car under control in dangerous situations, according to a new study. Fewer than 30 of those questioned in a recent survey knew what anti-lock brakes were, and less than 5 percent understood traction control. To test some skills of the average driver, the U.K.'s Times newspaper brought along a 15-year-old BMW 3-series devoid of every modern safety feature and asked some regular drivers to take it through the test track at the Graham Griffiths of Ultimate Car Control training school. While all the drivers were able to drive their modern Volvos, Hondas, and Subarus successfully in all conditions, they failed when forced to drive the classic car. "Even these self-confessed petrolheads were unable to control their cars without the aid of ABS." And without traction control, many of the drivers "swung about wildly," heading into

  2. Re:who cares? by roseblood · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I drove an '89 Celebrity with no ABS or anything other than power steering up until a year ago.

    You used to drive the car. Now [in soviet russia?] the car drives you!

    --
    There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.
  3. Re:who cares? by ozbon · · Score: -1, Redundant

    In fact, according to TFA, in the US from Feb '06 the car drives you!

    --
    I say we take off and nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure...
  4. Ah! by stavromueller · · Score: -1, Redundant

    Look at the poor Volvo 240 they beat up!

    --
    I kill harmless processes for sport