Are Electronic Assistants Causing More Problems Than They Are Worth?

Driven a new car lately? Let's go for a ride. Backing out, the car beeps to warn a pedestrian walking by. A dashboard light illuminates if the vehicle ahead is too close. A side mirror light flashes, signaling a truck behind you in the blind spot — not a good moment to pass. And if the car senses you're drowsy or driving erratically, a chime sounds an alert.

Resembling computers on wheels, many of the latest vehicles are loaded with sensors, lasers, cameras and crash warning systems that alert drivers to blind spots and impending collisions, or when they're drifting too far out of their lane. If the driver fails to respond, some models assume control and apply the brakes. Other options assist with the pesky chore of parallel parking or maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

The aim of all the bells and whistles is, of course, safety.

Read Article

dstampfer - 11/10/2011 2:17:17 PM

+3 Boost

Yes-- hate the lasers (Infiniti) and radar lane departure warning systems (Audi, Mercedes, BMW 5 & 7, others)-- they all cause false alarms for my Valentine One. Newer Audis with the feature have 4-5 separate K band radar emitters. Not only is this frustrating to those with radar detectors, but it leads to a false sense of security for people who have these electronic aids. If you rely too heavily on these systems, I think you will slack off on your own sense of your surroundings and potentially be at greater risk of an accident. Read an interesting article recently called "Making People Feel Safer Than They Really Are." Example given was putting a crosswalk in the middle of a street with 40mph speed limit increases rather than decreases pedestrian accidents-- People cross without looking because they feel protected by the crosswalk and drivers will not slow down because they do not expect the crosswalk to be there. Same goes for electronic aids, they may have unintended consequences.

AlleVier - 11/10/2011 4:29:23 PM

+2 Boost

I agree with you--while noting the irony of you bitching about it affecting your radar-detector.

Agent009 - 11/10/2011 3:36:39 PM

+1 Boost

Honda is the same way bubba... AS soon as you get a little wheel spin it steps in and pauses. Now that semi you were trying to beat is on your tail.

Joe_Limon - 11/10/2011 3:47:31 PM

+1 Boost

wrong because his views directly contradict 1911's ideals. Not because of any factual evidence that would state otherwise. Trollololol

Joe_Limon - 11/10/2011 4:01:50 PM

0 Boost

Divert... and wow spin posted right below. I wouldn't have expected any more from you 1911 :)

Joe_Limon - 11/10/2011 4:00:24 PM

0 Boost

lolol! Nice quote, I guess you're comparing a rental Kia to a luxury Acura because of how similar they are bahaha.

I notice how you weren't able to drum up a relevent article that pertains to any traction control systems that aren't SH-AWD. You know... the kind of systems the bulk of Hondas on the road use?

Your "proof" would be like trying to prove a chevy Cruze has 50/50 weight distribution because the Z06 does! bahaha! Only, the example I used is at least in the same Brand! lol!