[Closed] What's the forums verdict on.....Driver aids?

good aids or bad aids?

I sometimes wonder that if I had lane assist, radar controled cruise etc would I actually be driving on the motorway or just sort of sitting there - they say they can out-react and out-brake humans now.

I might doze off, and wake up in Hull or Loire or something.

err anyway a mate has a merc that does tons of clever stuff to help avoid a smash and he reckons it's helped a couple of times when others have done something daft.

wake up in Hull

Lane assist - I only turn it on if I feel that I'm likely to drop off. Road sign recognition is good. Parallel parking is good. Auto headlights and wipers superb. Auto main beam - not so good - turned that off. Never tried the active city stop. Blind spot radar - mostly annoying, especially at night.

Lane assist - I only turn it on if I feel that I'm likely to drop off.

Dear God, hand your license in now please

Rockhopper has it.
It encourages you to drive when you're falling asleep. How can this be a good idea?

APF

In my younger years I would have been horrified - I wanted a proper car with a proper clutch, gearbox and manual choke to prove to everyone I could master the mechanical beast that was my Mk3 Escort. In my wiser and more mature years the more the car can do the better. Driving is no longer fun - cars are too fast and capable - even non-sporty cars, and have outgrown the road network and the capabilities of the drivers and roads are too busy so you spend most of your time stationary in a jam. Driverless cars are the next logical step to remove the weakest link and all these gadgets are all the individual elements of tech that are needed for a driverless car.

In 50 years time people will look back in horror and disbelief that actual people were allowed to control metal weapons of mass destruction around with thousands of people a year being killed in the UK and over a million people a year globally.

Adaptive cruise control is wonderful on busy motorways. Set a distance and max speed and it deals with keeping a safe gap from the car in front. Its not as if your mind would switch off, with lots of cars at speed in close proximity there's still plenty to be keeping track of, and that's easier to do when you're not micromanaging the throttle to keep a gap. Or more commonly, allow gaps to close up until there's not enough reaction time.

I'm also not so proud as to admit that the emergency braking warning / assist stuff has saved me from a motorway shunt, wasn't using ACC and it was quicker than I was to spot that traffic in front had suddenly braked.

Auto lights - handy. Parking sensors / cameras too. Other stuff like lane departure warning I'm not fussed about and have been an annoyance in some cars I've driven.

As simon_g says, auto lights/wipers are very handy, just switch on and forget, more-or-less, I use cruise control much of the time on motorway/dual carriageway driving, if it's for extended periods, and adaptive cruise control does work well, it reacted to an artic that pulled across into the lane next to me, then inexplicably started snaking violently as I got close, the warning and braking was working before I even got my foot on the brake.
Auto-dip, well, I've only got limited experience, on an almost new Galaxy, and it seemed very quick to react, quicker than I was on unfamiliar lanes where a road was unexpectedly closed and my satnav got very confused, one less thing to think about, letting me concentrate on checking road signs and junctions.

I've had lane assist and blind spot radar in hire cars.

I like to think I wouldn't drive tired enough to need lane assist but it does give you a gentle slap if you overtake without indicating which probably reinforces good behaviour. Blind spot radar I really liked. I like to believe I am good at checking blind spots but I found it reassuring, especially in an unusual car.

Autolights are a no brainer (because it stops you leaving the lights on for a start!). I have auto wipers which I could live without as the threshold is slightly wrong for me (starts too soon, stops too late).

Have used autoparking once, it takes a leap of faith, but is better than at least half the people I see reverse parking. Parking sensors and reversing cameras are definitely not a gimick.

I have a fear that this transitional period between fully manually controlled cars and fully automated ones could be rather dangerous as more drivers relax and let the car do much of the work. Over reliance will breed complacency and any car I drive with auto lights, parking, wipers, I always try to set to manual. Obviously ABS, auto choke, ESP / TCS are beneficial but systems that allow a drop in concentration or can switch on unexpectedly make me uneasy, both as a driver and cyclist.

Well developed, anger free, fully automated cars can't come soon enough.

Driving is no longer fun - cars are too fast and capable - even non-sporty cars, and have outgrown the road network

So, get an old car; No airbags, no side protection, no seat belts even. Makes you a far safer driver!
AS for Automatic headlights- they don't work in fog. And who had the effing stupid idea of driving lights on the front only?

Of all of the options, the one I'd be most interested in is the adaptive cruise control but not so much for flowing traffic - I think it would be more useful in very slow stop-start traffic where you would otherwise be inching forward a few feet, stopping for a few seconds and then inching forward again.
Any downsides to this? Are these systems (reasonably) foolproof?

I had it on a hire car I had and turned it all off. The cruise control let you get far too close to the car in front and the lane assist was distracting

Nothing's foolproof, humans are inherently poor at making decisions, hence the proliferation of thought replacement schematics.

My Mother doesn't need any other channel on her DAB ICE system than R3.

The cruise control let you get far too close to the car in front

The distance is configurable no?

All stuff to go wrong and cost a fortune to fix?? That's my take on electrics in cars/bikes, but some day I wont have a choice.

The distance is configurable no?

Adaptive is yes or you can adjudt the speed yourself and even stop yourself getting too close. 😐

So, get an old car; No airbags, no side protection, no seat belts even. Makes you a far safer driver!

Problem is for older drivers it may seem like a bit of an annoyance but it probably saves you that 1 in 1000 times you didn't look or you glanced past the car in front braking etc.

all the motorway driving aids need to be to a common protocol and wireless ready so that smart motorways can control car spacing.

molgrips - not on the car I had that I could find.

[i]so that [s]smart motorways can control car spacing.[/s] malicious hackers can cause traffic chaos [/i]

ftfy.

I'd be very wary of 'internet of things' motor vehicles - cars have already proven vulnerable to hacks via their bluetooth capability.

Anyone seen the video of the tesla that sounds an alarm before there's an accident up ahead?

apparently they bounce radar under the car in front so they can see if the car that's two ahead is braking heavily

[i]Road sign recognition[/i]

Wha? Whasdatden?

I'd like to see indicators come on if the steering wheel rotates 12 degrees from centre.

I'd like to see indicators come on if the steering wheel rotates 12 degrees from centre.

I'm a bit of a traditionalist but I'd prefer they came on before the manoeuvre started.

I'd like to see indicators come on if the steering wheel rotates 12 degrees from centre.

Unfortunately I think that would be self-defeating as people would just start relying on it instead properly indicating [i]before[/i] they begin the manoeuvre.

A more effective measure would be a car that loudly told you off for not indicating before a manoeuvre. But that would never sell.

Likewise a system that turns down your stereo and makes an annoying noise when you exceed the speed limit by a 10% margin would be pretty effective (and would still allow for momentary situations where a little excess speed might be safer).

I'd like to see lane assist to include bloody cycle lanes. An Evoque nearly barged me into the kerb this morning. Is steering really that hard??

MrsG latest car (I think she ticked off every option) has adaptive cruise control (works well on M-way and can set distance), blind spot monitoring (works well), lane departure warning (OK), road sign monitoring (to tell you the speed limits), headlights that bend around on coming cars (so it maintains more full beam - works well) monitors you for becoming tired (excellent really good at detecting tiredness) and collision avoidance braking. All good but you still have to drive it carefully.

I had a brand new Insignia as a hire car in Stockholm before Christmas with a whole bunch of toys in. I have no idea whether the cruise control was adaptive or not, but it kept me at a constant speed after I worked out how to use it.

The parking assist/aids/help thing that it had drove me mad though. Lots of beeps in two different tones and it went into overdrive when someone walked around the front of the car as I was reversing. A good idea I'll bet, but not for me.

Folks don't use indicators these days, it's only those of my age and older that seem to have any consideration or mindfulness to use them, hence my request.

I followed an Astra back home earlier from a run i did, 13 plate so they should have worked. Nope not once did those yellow flashy things flash, not even pulling out of 4 T junctions, 3 roundabouts.

Probably why I posted ^^ my frustration about the use.

And who had the effing stupid idea of driving lights on the front only?

Have shared this story before but Volvo where demostrating their pedestrian alert/auto braking feature (admitedly a few years ago), guy got into the car, dummy pushed out in front, driver kept foot on accelerator and smashed dummy and barrier and car 🙂 Priceless. Sadly no video exists.

Auto aids, not for me. If manufacturers want to put them in the car then ok but I will need to be able to disactivte. Never used cruise control in UK, rarely in France a bit in US where limit was 55. Lane assist etc ? Better safety feature is to pay proper attention.

When they reduced the speed limits in the US to 55 accidents and deaths decreased dramatically. More chance to avoid a crash and less chance of it being fatal/serious if speeds are lower. Inconveninet truths for most of us.

We've most of the above on a car we recently bought, plus heads-up display.

This is my favourite, tells you speed, speed limit, cruise or limit speed (if set), any Sat/Nav instructions plus the proximity warning (mine is set to close, as I drive a BMW 🙂 ) and all just in eyeline (can be moved around).

Plus all settings are 'keyed' to the driver, so it knows which one of us is in the car and sets it as you unlock it.

I'd like cars to be fitted with a shock system in the drivers seat. So every 30 seconds after turning on your fog lights you get a gentle reminder that perhaps you don't need them on.

Auto lights - handy.

I wonder. Driving out of London in poor visibility before Xmas on the A3. It was grey and misty and contrast was poor. I had my lights on and most other vehicles did too. It was much easier to pick out vehicles that did (both tail lights and approaching from behind in mirrors).

Of the cars that *didn't* have lights on my perception was that they were 'high end' vehicles - Mercs, Range Rovers etc. My guess was that these had auto headlight systems which had decided it was bright enough that they weren't needed?

My guess was that these had auto headlight systems which had decided it was bright enough that they weren't needed?

Our Ford has the same system - it can get confused in fog.

I just override it if I think I need lights.

And who had the effing stupid idea of driving lights on the front only?
Amazes me how many people just drive around with those on at night and don't realise they have no rear lights on at all.

Folks don't use indicators these days, it's only those of my age and older that seem to have any consideration or mindfulness to use them, hence my request.

Amen to that. Just a sign of the ignorance and arrogance that is prevalent these days.

Of the cars that *didn't* have lights on my perception was that they were 'high end' vehicles - Mercs, Range Rovers etc. My guess was that these had auto headlight systems which had decided it was bright enough that they weren't needed?

everyone i know with reversing sensors has managed to reverse it into something the sensors didnt pick up at somepoint.

Complacency is an issue.

How ever i do like cruise and autoboxes on the open road (i have neither mind just hire car experiance)

my biggest realisation was that drivings so much more relaxing if you leave more time and travel at a slower speed with the trucks - rather than the need to do 100mph fannies in the outside lane. - but i have a car with big tires and non sporty suspension so the tramlines and washboard surface dont bother me 😀

All good but you still have to drive it carefully.

as someone already said I fear for the transition between properly driverless cars and cars with features that...I won't say "are conducive to not concentrating", but I reckon it's a certainty that some will let the driver aids pick up the slack and let their attention wander - off course people already don't concentrate whilst driving so maybe these features can only improve things....dunno tho.

driver aids are a nightmare when you go back to a normal car

Just been driving a Tesla for a week......nearly crashed my car up the back of another one this morning because it didn't warn me (then auto stop) that the car in front hadn't pulled out into the massive gap I though she would have gone into.

Its amazing how quickly you get used to these things!! It only took a week to unlearn things I have been doing for 25 years - scary

Not a fan. (not that I've used anything other than auto boxes and cruise control, oh - and ABS, which I do quite like).

a) if I'm going to be legally responsible for the actions of the vehicle I'm driving, then [u]I[/u] want to be fully in control of it, not delegating some of the work elsewhere.

b)Anything that makes cars "easier" to drive is a bad thing in my book. I want to be constantly reminded that I'm in control of a 1.5T missile going at 70mph. Its part of the reason I like my rubber band tyres and sports suspension - comfortable, no - but there's constant feedback through the steering wheel and my arse reminding me that I'm not driving a video game.

(I'm reminded here of an Audi A4 auto, base-spec pool car I had on loan a few years back. 70 on the motorway, and it felt like I was sat in front on the telly with the sound turned down. No sense of movement at all. I could have happily put my feet up on the dash and gone to sleep. Terrifying)

Driver aids? Big FO shite-covered spike on the steering wheel instead of an airbag. That'll make you concentrate.

driver aids are a nightmare when you go back to a normal car

driver aids are a nightmare when you go back to a normal car

This is noticeable switching from a 6 yr old Skoda to a 20 yr old camper.

Can't imagine the jump is any less with a newer car.

😕

[i]driver aids are a nightmare when you go back to a normal car[/i]

I wonder if we'll end up with another category of Driving Licence - like auto v manual?

Its amazing how quickly you get used to these things!! It only took a week to unlearn things I have been doing for 25 years - scary

Did your eyes stop working?

There's an even simpler option than auto lights, as fitted to our 10-year-old Volvo. The lighting switch has two settings, O and I. Despite what you might think, the switch has no effect on the headlights whatsoever, they're always on - the only difference is that high beam won't latch on in O mode.

Makes life a lot easier 😉

I'm really confused by this perception that having these driver aids automatically means that you disconnect your brain and settle into a virtual coma! Why? I don't recall seeing a listing in the user manual for a jar in which to place your brain by your bed before getting into your whizzy toy-filled car.
Using cruise control, for example, means when doing long motorway/dual carriageway runs my foot doesn't cramp up holding it in one place to maintain a steady speed, and I can apply my full attention to what everyone else is up to, in front and behind.
I've done more miles on major roads, motorways since September than in the entire previous two years, (just shy of 11,000 miles, plus another two months that wasn't logged by the satnav I was using), and I've yet to notice any loss of attention because the car I'm driving has some handy doodads fitted; if there are issues with loss of attention while driving, the fault lies with the muppet driving.
Having said that, I would express my concerns about the increasing complexity of car instrument panels, there are so many little buttons and illuminated labels scattered right across the dash and steering wheel that it's really difficult to actually look for a particular control when doing 70mph in traffic, and that in itself is possibly more responsible for attention being taken away from what's going on outside than just dozing at the wheel because of the labour-saving devices.
As much as a mobile?

Cruise control - tick
Speed limiter - tick
Parking sensors - tick
Auto dimming mirror - not sure
[s]Gangster[/s] privacy glass - useful in daylight, less than useful in the dark
Auto lights & wipers - tick

Self cancelling indicators - tick tick tick

Autolights are a no brainer

In my Toyota they come on and off when I drive through the shadow of a tree. Still leave them in auto though,

Assisted Cruise Control is brilliant, had it on the old motor and miss it.

Especially with more and more Avg speed areas... flip the switch, relax your right leg/foot and check your FB feed .... brilliant ... 😉

Folks don't use indicators these days, it's only those of my age and older that seem to have any consideration or mindfulness to use them, hence my request.

They seem to be an afterthought on many cars, tucked into the only spare place in the light sculptures that are becoming more prevalent.

This is noticeable switching from a 6 yr old Skoda to a 20 yr old camper.

On our last camper the switch for the full beams was a pedal on the floor next to the clutch 😀

And if you put them on while the wipers were going then it blew a fuse. 😯

I'm really confused by this perception that having these driver aids automatically means that you disconnect your brain and settle into a virtual coma!

As D0NK says, it's not drivers like you (I'm guessing here!), but those morons that already drive around in a daze, not aware that other people are waiting for them to indicate, get in the correct lane, steer round cycle lanes, move out of the middle lane on the motorway, change speed when the limits change, etc etc etc...

My wife has a Fiat 500, we were coming back from Newcastle in the dark last week. I had the dash lights dimmed to help night visibility.

Until the outside temperature reached 3c. Then the whole dashboard lights up at max brightness to tell me that it's 3c and there may be ice on the road. It shocks you and removes all your night vision for a good few seconds. Really safe.

Then it warmed up a bit to 5c. Got closer to home and cooled down, so it did it again.....

winston - Member

driver aids are a nightmare when you go back to a normal car

That's probably a pretty good test of usefulness/value tbh. I didn't think I'd ever trust the auto headlights but then I jumped in my dad's car and instantly missed them. And driving distance without cruise control feels like barbarism now- if I could add adaptive to mine I would like a shot, that seems like a win/win for safety and convenience so why not?

I kind of miss flipping the little lever on the rear view mirror though.

thought this was a good article about the dangers inherent in transitioning from 'not very automated' to 'very automated': https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/11/crash-how-computers-are-setting-us-up-disaster

Some of these toys sound amazing though. If I actually drove my car and had cause (and means) to get a new one, I would definitely have all this cool stuff in it.

[i]I kind of miss flipping the little lever on the rear view mirror though[/i]

Yeah! I do to - the electronic version doesn't work half as well (especially as it's needed more and more with all these stupidly bright led headlights).
It also felt like a bit of a gesture to the person dazzling you.

I kind of miss flipping the little lever on the rear view mirror though.

Now I have a pretty close relationship with my Passat as you will be aware, and I have come to care deeply about it, but one thing that really gets on my tits is that the flippy lever moves the mirror too far, and once you've dipped it you can't see in it properly and have to adjust it - which defeats the purpose 🙁

But - if they can make auto dimming rear view mirrors, can they also make auto-dimming door mirrors too? Cos that'd be amazing.

My opinion is that driver aids are nice but not for me*. On a long motorway journey I find that modulating my speed, distance, brakes etc keeps my mind on the task at hand and not say, listening to my wife.

It certainly seems that most of the drivers who post on car threads are all conscientious drivers to one degree or another it seems there's just no end to the nobs out there who aren't. In a few short years the upper end of driver assistance and car autonomy will have filtered down quite a bit. Imagine how many people will be checking facebook, tweeting, making calls, vaping, eating etc when it seems about 1 in 5 people are doing this now with no driver aids to speak of.

*I'd really like a heads up display of my speed projected on the windscreen, that would be super handy.

*I'd really like a heads up display of my speed projected on the windscreen, that would be super handy.

Not that hard it seems. This popped up as an ad on a page I was looking at in the last few days..

[url= http://www.lightinthebox.com/w02-head-up-display-car-obd-ii-hud-head-up-display-5-5-screen-safe-driving_p4800349.html?currency=GBP&litb_from=paid_adwords_shopping&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&adword_mt=&adword_ct=153415364859&adword_kw=&adword_pos=1o1&adword_pl=&adword_net=g&adword_tar=&adw_src_id=2141113852_686902751_39319981830_pla-261297840172&gclid=CPGvuc_Sq9ECFWsq0wodfQ0LdQ ]After Market HUD[/url]

But - if they can make auto dimming rear view mirrors, can they also make auto-dimming door mirrors too? Cos that'd be amazing.

They do, my last four cars have all had this.

Wife's Golf has ACC which is great.

I want Lane Assist on my next car, though there are various videos of [s]idiots[/s] wedging pop bottles into the steering wheel so the car drives itself...

When a vehicle has to change lanes frequently, at speed, to progressively advance through traffic, it's not so bloody hot.

Fire engines, for example.

I can imagine, but seeing as I don't have lights or sirens on my car...