How did we get to where we are today?

I read a article over on jalopnik about Beige Bites Back: Is Toyota Paying The Price For Building Dull Cars?. In there they talk about how things that use to be called quirks are now considered huge issues. Ex: Prius abs issue. This kinda got me thinking, consumers have been driving cars for over 100+ years. Why is it seem now that people are helpless when it comes to driving without things like ABS, Traction Control, and Stability Control systems. Whatever happened to the dynamic driver? Is adjusting driving styles for changing weather conditions a thing of the past?


I honestly hope not!

Technology as useful as it can be isn't perfect and at some point will fail. That's when the driver must know what to do or how to react. Grant it ABS, Traction control, and Stability Control have done wonders at reducing the number of accidents on the roadways when the conditions are slippery. At the same time they aren't essential to driving in adverse weather and should only be a backup if equipped. We didn't always have these car technologies. Some have been around since the 1970's while others are fairly new with the incorporation of more sensors built into cars nowadays. To most people in this current day and age a RWD car without ABS or other traction systems installed would be almost taboo to use in winter. I would argue the opposite view. Having experience in both technologically stripped cars and technologically advanced cars, my preference seems to drift to the one with less technology. That said, there are numerous benefits to technologically advanced cars, but at the same time there seems to be a disconnect between the driver, the car, and the road. The systems that control the cars response to a situation does provide some feedback to the driver (dashboard light, rumbling pedal etc...), but in a sense all these systems do is covers up the drivers mistake. Drivers that understand how to be dynamic can enter in adverse weather conditions and effectively make choices, since they understand the limitations of their car, that will get them though safely.  Drivers that believe the car will take care of everything and all they need to push the pedals and steer will be the ones in the ditch or in a accident.

It takes time to learn how to become a dynamic driver and overtime will make you more aware of your situation and overall a better driver.

-DK

Australian Transportation Accident Commission 20 years of Commercials Montage

If a group wanted to drive home the point for Drunk Driving, the Australian Transportation Accident Commission hits a critical nerve with their commercials. They drive home the point very well by incorporating different consequences a driver can experience if they choose to drive drunk. This is NOT for the faint of heart. About half way through it gets very graphic, and it's a eye opener. Please don't Drink and Drive!

-DK

Why we needed to learn that...

This may come across as a tad depressing, but it shows the facts. In a study from 1995-2005 found that each year on average there were over 1,500,000 (1.5 million) crashes that occurred during "poor weather" conditions in the U.S.. These "Weather Related" crashes are those that occur in the presence of adverse weather and/or slick pavement. Along with those weather related crashes over 690,000 people were injured and just under 7,400 were killed per year. Some of the nitty-gritty includes that 1,170,000 (75%) of those crashes took place when the roads were wet. 168,400 (11%) of the crashes took place during snowy or slushy road conditions.  If you want some more information check out the url.

Information taken from the:
Federal Highway Administration, Road Weather Management Program. How Do Weather Events Impact Roads? www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Weather/q1_roadimpact.htm Access November 23, 2009.

The sad part about all of this is, most people don't realize the magnitude that weather has on the roadways. About once a day (at least) you'll hear there was a accident on the road and someone was either injured or killed. I can remember times when a big snow storm would go through back in the twin cities and the traffic reporter would say there were over 100 accidents on the roadways. When you really take in the numbers it just starts to make you think. It usually hits home when a family member or friend is in one of those accidents.

Just a few things to ponder...

-DK