[cellsafemode]

Real testing means half or more people will fail.

There isn't a good enough alternative in the us anyway for that half who suck at driving. Once robots drive everyone, the problem solves itself.

Unfortunately, that means those who can drive will be priced out of driving themselves because insurance for non robot drivers will skyrocket.

[nicktechla]

Originally Posted by Mark114

A buddy has a BMW here in the US that has the ability to "read" speed limit signs. It can display the speed limit on the DIC and you can set a warning if you wish. He pointed out that features like this (start/stop, etc.) are programmable and many BMW owners enable or disable these features via a tune.

yeah that is pretty slick! I rented an m2 in Germany and i was like how the heck does the car know the current speed limit, then I saw in the manual that it has a camera that reads the signs.

[Deakins]

I think once the EV craze/push subsides a bit it will be much like drones were several years back. I remember flying a helicopter and hearing about how drones are going to do everything imaginable and all us pilots needed to come to reality and just get out of the way...well, I'm still here and I dont really hear anyone talking much about drones. Further more, they arent widespread delivering packages, flying to come pick you up in place of a helicopter, or any of the pipe dreams that the ilinformed kept going on and on about. An objective look at the hurtles in place to make it all work, sustain its operation, and make it cost effective shows that theres a long ways to go. I'll believe the EV revolution when I see it.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Well, it's either that or imposing real license testing, recurrent testing, making old people take tests and those that fail lose their license. The problem with cracking down on driving is "but my personal freedumbs!". Groups like the AARP would never let congress pass laws to increase the testing requirements for old people...because they're all old people, so unfortunately we get into this stalemate, because all people, old and young, want to play with their phones and the internet rather than drive. You see it at every stoplight. Again, congress won't pass a bill mandating the cell phone companies turn off the phones while driving (except for perhaps 911 function), because again, "but mah personal freedumbs!". So again, stalemate, all the while, pedestrian deaths reach a new high while drivers get worse and worse as a whole.

Put the blame where it belongs, on the people. Lawmakers are given a shitty situation where people don't want to curtail the activities causing the problem, won't relinquish any of their "freedom" to drive without serious testing and recurrent testing, and what choice do you have besides to let people die, or use technology to fix the issue with self driving cars, automatic limits, etc.?

As technology increases and gives people more power (cell phones), we find that people as a whole are unable to utilize that technology responsibly.

All fair points, and I for one would totally subscribe to more demanding driver tests (the one I had to pass back in Hungary was excruciating, and rightly so), although I see how it probably won't happen.

I'm just unhappy to see the path of least resistance being taken again and again, especially in the EU (lowering speed limits, automating penalties etc.), simply because technology allows it. Not everything that can be done necessarily should be done. The genie is already out of the bottle with cell phone use due to some reluctance and difficulties in enforcement, I guess, but autopilots will hopefully solve that issue.

My main point was that this "least resistance" approach to new legislation is dangerous because of the broad brush strokes it paints with, and can too easily be taken to outlaw anything but the simplest and least risky option (no human drivers + zero traffic rule violations).

[MackSteelPrivateEye]

Originally Posted by Mark114

European Transport Safety Council proposals gain approval from MEPs (Members of European Parliament); mandatory limiters likely within three years.

All new cars sold in the EU are set to be fitted with mandatory speed limiters within three years, after a key group of MEPs approved the fitment of a wide range of safety measures for new cars.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-ne...in-three-years

LOL...EU...LOL.

[Vanquish]

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

very true.hand held cell phones should be inoperative when the car is in motion,texting doubly so.ill bet 30 % of the traffic around you is on the phone or texting at highway speeds,truly scary.

I have a few friends that are OSP officers. They will tell you the drunks and drugged driver accidents are down because distracted cell call / text drivers terrify many of them, so they drive sober or not at all. I'll leave it to your imagination as to why.

[Stex]

It is all about power and control. Climate, cars, carbon, we define hate/free speech... etc.....all about control. Just wrapped up in a we care and what to protect. ... Individual liberty? No cannot have that...may offend one person.....someone MAY get hurt, etc.....

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by Stex

It is all about power and control. Climate, cars, carbon, we define hate/free speech... etc.....all about control. Just wrapped up in a we care and what to protect. ... Individual liberty? No cannot have that...may offend one person.....someone MAY get hurt, etc.....

Your liberties stop where they impinge on my rights.

[Vanquish]

Originally Posted by Stex

It is all about power and control. Climate, cars, carbon, we define hate/free speech... etc.....all about control. Just wrapped up in a we care and what to protect. ... Individual liberty? No cannot have that...may offend one person.....someone MAY get hurt, etc.....

Welcome to the new world of political correctness and individual irresponsibility. Let's not forget the charming "snowflake generation" that need "safe zones" and a tit to suck on while living in mom's basement. They want "your stuff" instead of busting their asses for their own stuff. Power and control is a big issue in all cultures. American's fight harder to keep as much of it out of big brothers hands, but alas it's failing. "Smoky and the Bandit" radar detectors, and CB's were Americonna to take back what big brother needs to control. That's why the movie did so well. Breaking the law is cool, just watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; I was sad when they met their end in Bolivia. Anyway Stex, I think your right over the target with that one :-)

[Bad Anvil Garage]

Elections have consequences folks! See what's happening in Europe and wake up. Y'all best be careful not to elect more of the crazy Democrat (socialists are taking over the party) in the USA or we'll be done for good. Seriously. Vote for freedom, not more government!!

Stepping down off my soapbox.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Your liberties stop where they impinge on my rights.

Try to avoid confusing your rights with your wants . . .


Norm

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by samurai

Lol, in what year are you living? Modern cars let you survive high speed crashes pretty good. Otherwise nearly every crash on the Autobahn would end in death.

Modern cars or not, you can only go so fast before the laws of physics plainly cant be evaded. It doesn't feel like it when you're driving that 50 MPH is fast because how well modern cars dampen the road feel but if you come to a sudden unexpected 50 to 0 MPH stop, it exerts a crapton of force on your body alone, combined with the vehicles weight all moving at that speed also having to suddenly stop .. it's much more serious than you think.

The NHTSA advises your chances of surviving a wreck at speeds over 50 MPH are significantly reduced.

Also, there's a huge difference in the fatality rate on the Authobahn because drivers there dont get their licenses out of a cereal box. High speed wrecks are rare. Many of the autobahns accidents occur in speed enforced zones. Dont expect to get up to 120 MPH, roll off the road and hit a tree and expect to live to tell about it. I mean you may get lucky... but regardless of how well we design a automobile, it will always be a 3 ton steel and aluminum box traveling at high speeds

[MackSteelPrivateEye]

Originally Posted by Bad Anvil Garage

Elections have consequences folks! See what's happening in Europe and wake up. Y'all best be careful not to elect more of the crazy Democrat (socialists are taking over the party) in the USA or we'll be done for good. Seriously. Vote for freedom, not more government!!

Stepping down off my soapbox.

[nicktechla]

Originally Posted by Bad Anvil Garage

Elections have consequences folks! See what's happening in Europe and wake up. Y'all best be careful not to elect more of the crazy Democrat (socialists are taking over the party) in the USA or we'll be done for good. Seriously. Vote for freedom, not more government!!

Stepping down off my soapbox.

bro.. not to make this a political issue but both sides are f'd really. you are voting away your rights in some form either way, one is just more in your face, and one is chipping away the back side. both parties are f'd really. the whole system is corrupt.