F-O-R-D

Not where I was going, but nonetheless a very valid point.

...can anyone answer me this? Why are we expected to get better and have less crashes? Is it the laws, the fact that we are professionals, we have more training, what?

Now we toss 4-wheelers into the mix. Who taught them? Anyone at all? Or did they learn it from the state drivers book or the last grand theft auto game? Sure, they are held accountable for their actions, but the expectation to improve isn't there. Instead, we rely upon sensors that fail or don't work to begin with. What happens when 4-wheelers seriously rely upon that tech and it breaks mid-trip?

...new tech isn't the answer. It's akin to trying to cure cancer using a bandaid and some gauze. If you want to cure a bad knee, you don't just treat the pain.

 

Yep... Kick it up to 70 passing a car... suddenly your car sees a speed limit sign... Screeeetch.. Dang! now I have to pass him again... LOL

 

Very interesting and valid points. But isn't everything run by sensors as it is? I.e throttle, speed, transmission etc?

 

Sure, drive-by-wire for the throttle, but the brakes, steering, etc. are all mechanical. Remember the "runaway" toyotas a few years ago? Throttle got hung up wide open. Couldn't put it in neutral, because there wasn't a mechanical linkage and the electronic sensors wouldn't allow it. Couldn't shut the engine off because there was no mechanical switch...electronic push button...and the sensors wouldn't allow it. Not the kind of vehicle I care to operate. I like having a transmission I can knock out of gear, a key I can switch off, and a clutch I can push in. I've had people tell me I need to get with the times...that this technology makes life SO much better...but from where I'm sitting, it leaves far too much to chance. I like throttle cables, manual transmissions, and mechanical linkages operating the controls. Mechanical linkages can be inspected for wear, maintained, lubricated, etc. to get reliable service from the components...and they offer feedback allowing you to "feel" what's going on. Fly-by-wire, you can't always "see" corroded wires, sensors that are on their last leg, or potential problems. The only "feedback" they offer is from the artificial return spring on the control that you're operating, which only under ideal circumstances even comes close to mimicking what it SHOULD feel like. In any case, I'm just fine without it. My most recent addition to the personal fleet is a 1990 model year. My "newest" personal vehicle is almost old enough to drink.

 

I didn't know about that part... That's brutal... Stand on the brakes and hope for the best??

 

...beat me to the punch.

 

Get a manual transmission! Then, if your hyped-up super duper computer controlled car decides to run away with you, ya can still hit the clutch and slap that bugger into neutral!

 

Dont forget about mercedes making a self driving truck

 

everybody has a self driving truck.

i just saw a FL this past week.