Have the advances in car safety meant that drivers are less careful now and more complacent?

Michael B

Yes, I agree - and it applies to a lot more than you mention. Seatbelts for drivers make them feel safer, so they take more risks. Perhaps we should fit belts to every seat EXCEPT the driver's. Again, the rule about headlights is actually dangerous. On a well-lit road you can see as well as you're going to without any lights at all. You only need sidelights to mark your position, and the fact that you're moving. Dipped lights mislead the driver by providing a brightly lit patch right in front of the car; naturally his eyes focus on this when they should be looking ahead. He will also not notice road users without big headlights, so cyclists and pedestrians are at risk.

We rely too much on technology and formal restrictions. In Holland they have successfully experimented with "shared space" in towns - no restrictions, no pavements, no signals: just trust the people. It has worked brilliantly - fewer accidents, slower top speeds in built-up areas but faster average speeds, pedestrians able to wander about & cross the road at any time.

We should try it here. On the whole drivers aren't irresponsible maniacs, still less murderers. They will behave better if regimented less and trusted more.

EvelynThe ModifiedDog.

Let's put it like this... if you could SEE the big metal nut in the centre of your steering wheel, rather than the airbag that sits on top of it, wouldn't it make you a BIT more careful???
I agree, you only have to look at the way most people drive big jeeps to understand the feeling of invincibility they feel. ( Often misplaced, since these vehicles have higher mortality rates than other modern cars. Nothing falls off the road on its own quite like a 3 tonne truck with a V8 engine!!)
Modern safety aids should augment, not replace driver awareness and skill.

Trevor h

Yes this is true.
As an ADI i teach all my pupils the seat belt law etc.
Another area of concern is ABS (Anti-Lock Breaking System). I always ensure my pupils know never to rely on it, as the one time they may need it, it might not be working and then it's too late. So they always get taught the proper way to control a skid, but more importantly how to avoid one in the first place.
Technology is no substitute for good basic skills, it is merely an aid, and everyone would do well to remember that - BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

Safe Driving readers!

gam3fr3aks

Yes, I do agree with you there.

I drive a 13 year old car, but have driven quite a few newer cars. And while they are very plush smooth and fast, they also try to distance you from the road itself. The steering tends to lack feedback for example.

But what about things like traction control? Do they lesson your respect for the car?
I've been in cars with people who just floor it in 1st while going around a corner. Why not? 'Uncle ECU' will sort it out!

I think that gadgets like this mean that you can drive right on the edge of the cars ability, you can stab away at the pedals in the middle of a corner and it just doesn't matter.

I am a computer programmer, and so I know for a fact that no computer program is infallable. (The eletronic gadgets on a car are just computer programs reading from sensors) What happens when somthing happens on a wet country road and the computer gets it a bit wrong? Or a sensor fails?

My car has no traction control, no abs, and quite a bit of torque-steer. Come off a wet roundabout too quick and the front will slide out, at first this is a bit frightening, but with time you learn to explore the cars handling and you can anticipate it and control it. Slam the brakes and the fronts will lock. Floor it and the wheels will spin and it will go pretty much where it wants. But it makes you a better driver.

kiddy

DEF YES, try riding a motorbike too see how much people are daydreaming along in there nice shiny safe metal boxes, I was in shock the other day as I seen advertised a gadget that you fit to your head and it has an alarm to let you know when you have fallen asleep at the wheel! GOOD GOD HELP!

eidos

European cars do crash tests before reaching the market. tremendous improvements have been carried out for our safety and for pedestrians. ABS,Electrically assisted steering wheels etc are called active safety. For what i think technology is getting better each day and drivers are getting lazier.

Twiggy

You`re quite correct. I wish that modern technology could install the same safety features in the brain, since most crashes [not accidents] are caused by "driver error", aka gross stupidity, inattention, excessive speed, lack of anticipation ..............................

junkmailque

Its an interesting theory, and it would explain why you see people driving foolishly in fancy cars with little regard for others on the road.

philipscown

There is a theory called "risk maintenance". This sugggests that each individual is comfortable with a certain level of risk and will act to maintain risk at that level. If a situation is changed to make it safer (risk reduced) then the person in that situation is likely to change their behaviour to bring the risk back up to the revious level.

Evidence for this has been seen when ABS was introduced. Those cars fitted with it had increased accident rates - the drivers felt safer, so drove faster, and got into situatiuons beyond the capability of the ABS to help. In aviation, anti-stall devices have been fitted to civil aircraft to prevent stalling (and thus crashing) on take-off. Some pilots have responded to this by just pulling the stick back on take-off and letting the anti-stall device sort things out.

If a device is fitted to a vehicle to do a particular job then we should not be surprised when drivers leave the job to the device. It must be remembered that most drivers are not trained to a professional standard and do not have a positive attitude to driving. Thus they will off-load as much responsibility as they can.

In answer to your question - the more devices we put into cars to make them safer then the sloppier drivers will become. This leaves little margin for error and actively encourages bad driving. In this situation there is a strong case for retesting drivers every few years. In doing so there is a need to ensure that the person taking the test is the person the driving licence belongs to - but that's another question.

colin872966

The thing is that they think an accident is never going to happen to them so they become complacent

sakotgrimes

There have been studies, and your theory has been proven.

Also, I am glad to see another inteligent person who sees "safety" technology as something that isn't neccesarily more safe. We definately put too much faith in our fancy gizmos. Myself, I trust my right foot and the brake pedal more than anything.

oldhombre

Yes, people feel protected by all the mod cons and some drive like idiots cos they feel so safe.

Ollie

Hi,I live on the A689 there is a speed camera depending on which way it is facing you can spot the difference in speed.

rose_merrick

that may be a contributing factor to the rise in mortality of MVA /RTA accidents....more likey it is the rise of drink/drug drivers, (particularly among the teenage group drugs and driving is the new major concern, as many as 6 youngsters in a car at a time as taxis are so expensive) violence on TV/films which is responsible for increased 'macho' behaviour and expectations from young men.

logicalgal

Yes, very true. Also, nowadays most people drive Automatic transmission vehicles. If more people drove Manual transmission vehicles, they would be more aware because they would have to shift up and down according to what's happening......so THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING.

stackdlsmsd

drivers have become complacent to other road users, i ride motorbikes and car drivers often don`t realise i`m there!! they have their music on in their nice little metal boxes and carry on regardless, Volvo drivers are the worse, their cars are so safe and enclosed they have no idea where they are or what they are hitting!! lol

UCANTCME

YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS..

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: