I absolutely endorse and practice the principle that driving requires 100% of the driver's attention, and that advanced safety systems can and should never be relied upon to save you...…
Moreover, I want the 17-year old "uncontrollable circumstance" with the cell phone and 9 other kids in his car to have the same benefits, even if it took a government mandate to make it happen.....
Personally, I would prefer a government mandate to keep her from getting behind the wheel in the first place, but this is America.
I generally agree with you.
The point I was attempting to make is that unfortunately, human nature being what it is, allows drivers to become dependent on safety systems. Lack of consequence in small events rewards bad behavior, which at some point can become something much worse.
There was a documentary done a number of years back where the author had postulated and proved via examples and a lot of statistics how car safety systems had the opposite effect to enhanced safety in regards to how drivers acted.
One poignant example he used was imagine that instead of an airbag in your steering wheel, what if there was a sharp spike...
In which equipped vehicle would you drive more carefully?
That is the basic problem with the promotion of exotic safety systems.
Regardless of their intent, they enable and even encourage bad behavior.
Why waste your time looking at the road and staying in your lane when you can spend your time texting, because the cruise control will slow you down, and the car will keep itself in the lane. Turn up the warning volume and take a nap. You'll be fine.
Why not take selfies?
The car stopped the moron from getting in an accident, and the lesson learned there was it's fine to do that.
That was a ad for Hyundai or Kia...
Subaru's ads are worse - The guy driving looking at his kids in the back seat doesn't see someone stop ahead.
Lesson learned - It's fine to not pay attention.
Hey, we have AWD - Speeding in the snow is fine..
My Subaru saved my life, so risky driving can be done - Without risk.
Unfortunately, that is what happens, because although "you" rightly remain alert, the same system that provides you with additional security you likely don't need, can and will be abused by many others.
When widely adopted, these "safety" features will inevitably prevent some minor incidents while providing a plethora of opportunities for severe catastrophic failure.
It's human nature.
:frown2: