Are were really advancing?
Are the vehicles we drive safer, or more troublesome? Are the items added to enhance the appeal of the vehicle making us rely more on the vehicle than ourselves as drivers? I’m glad we’re progressing as a society when it comes to vehicle safety, but are we getting out of hand with these new “gadgets”?
I was recently in a new car that showed a little light by the side mirror when a driver was entering into the blind spot. If you got used to this, you may not check it before changing lanes. I also noticed it didn’t show a driver that was 2 lanes away on a multiple lane one-way street. It wasn’t fool proof. What would happen if you got used to it and it stopped working one day? What if mud got on the camera lens and didn’t register that another vehicle was entering into the blind spot? A close call or a crash would happen for sure.
I’ve also been in vehicles that have a camera at the rear to help the driver reverse safely. It lets you know if someone or something is behind you so you can avoid running into it. So does looking over your shoulder. I tested the reverse camera and the “items are closer than they appear” as it’s been said regarding convex mirrors. It’s not a bad safety feature, but a glance over your shoulder is much safer.
It’s amazing how we can get used to our conveniences in our vehicle and when it’s broken or when we drive a different vehicle, we feel lost. I experienced the same thing recently. I now have a new 2009 Toyota with crank windows instead of power windows. I haven’t had crank windows in years and my kids never saw them before. When they asked me what they were for, they were thrilled that these “new” devices were in this car. Yeah, right.
I was so used to having the luxury of lowering the passenger widow while I was driving to add to the breeze flowing through my vehicle. I can’t do that now with the crank windows. Some drivers may even take a chance and lean across the passenger seat to lower the window as they drive; especially if it was down and it starts to rain.
Can we get so used to our luxury items that it adds to our own driving problems with a blink of an eye? Should we learn how to do things “the old fashioned way” as we did when we were kids in our parent’s cars? Since driving is done with your eyes; with your hands and feet being tools for your eyes, why risk using information that may not be as accurate as a quick check to the direction you’re trying to look at. Trust yourself, not the “gadgets” to make the proper choices. This way you won’t have to blame the gadgets if something goes wrong. You can blame yourself.
I agree with you Scott. Along with these new gadgets is the reality that kids are learning to drive in the virtual world of computer games, then getting out on the road thinking that the same rules will apply. Wrong. When we loose this life we won’t hit restart and get a new one. Learn to drive the old fashioned way!
Scott:
Your articles are very informative. Is it ok if I use them when teaching my classes?
There is so much to the driving task that people do not realize. Thanks for your insights.