The Financial Times this week had a special section on The Future of the Car. One article by Bernard Simon told of the crash avoidance systems that are in place now, will be in place in two years, seven years and the future.
The crash avoidance systems involve various sensors that can override the driver.
I'm reminded of the old story about the drunk on foot who is only a hazard to himself. Once he gets behind the wheel he can kill twenty before he gets injured.
I know that in winter weather driving that the four wheel drive vehicles are commonly off the road upside down or on their sides while the two wheel drive vehicles roll merrily along. Four wheel drive may get a vehicle moving but has no effect on stopping or steering.
Crash avoidance systems can encourage risky behavior. Crash avoidance systems cannot override physics. And it will still be true that two vehicles cannot simultaneously occupy the same space on the highway. More crashes could result from drivers believing they are invincible.
Designers of safety systems, no matter how small and simple, need to be aware of this phenomenon of invincibility. Extra expense may not produce any results.
A common response from OSHA is that more training is needed. In common sense cases no training should be needed.
David Sneed
The crash avoidance systems involve various sensors that can override the driver.
I'm reminded of the old story about the drunk on foot who is only a hazard to himself. Once he gets behind the wheel he can kill twenty before he gets injured.
I know that in winter weather driving that the four wheel drive vehicles are commonly off the road upside down or on their sides while the two wheel drive vehicles roll merrily along. Four wheel drive may get a vehicle moving but has no effect on stopping or steering.
Crash avoidance systems can encourage risky behavior. Crash avoidance systems cannot override physics. And it will still be true that two vehicles cannot simultaneously occupy the same space on the highway. More crashes could result from drivers believing they are invincible.
Designers of safety systems, no matter how small and simple, need to be aware of this phenomenon of invincibility. Extra expense may not produce any results.
A common response from OSHA is that more training is needed. In common sense cases no training should be needed.
David Sneed
No comments:
Post a Comment