Lane departure warning - for the love of god, why???
Discussion
Drove a Mondeo recently with Lane Departure Warning. Basically with it set it rattles the steering wheel to warn you that you've gone over a broken white line (drifted from lane on a motorway for example). If you signal it doesn't do it, but if you don't, and you cross the line it does.
Now I cannot think of a single instance ever when I've wandered out of lane, let alone done it and not noticed! Are there really people out there so completely unobservant and incompetent that they can accidently chgange lane without noticing? And should these people be helped to drive or got off the road?
My big concern is that it will simply encourage those that text or whatever whilst driving to look away from the road for longer, after all, the "safety device" will warn them if they've strayed (but only once they're crossing the line, oops).
Genuinely cannot see the purpose of this device, or how it helps road safety (which is what it's billed as, a "safety device").
Add in adaptive cruise and I can imagine people taking next to no notice once they're on a motorway, car will warn them if they stray, car will speed up or slow down with traffic. Have a little gaze out of the side window instead or turn around and talk to the kids.
Right up until the accident...
Now I cannot think of a single instance ever when I've wandered out of lane, let alone done it and not noticed! Are there really people out there so completely unobservant and incompetent that they can accidently chgange lane without noticing? And should these people be helped to drive or got off the road?
My big concern is that it will simply encourage those that text or whatever whilst driving to look away from the road for longer, after all, the "safety device" will warn them if they've strayed (but only once they're crossing the line, oops).
Genuinely cannot see the purpose of this device, or how it helps road safety (which is what it's billed as, a "safety device").
Add in adaptive cruise and I can imagine people taking next to no notice once they're on a motorway, car will warn them if they stray, car will speed up or slow down with traffic. Have a little gaze out of the side window instead or turn around and talk to the kids.
Right up until the accident...
My boss has a so called 'blind spot information system' in his Volvo S80.
It's really an annoying light on the A-pillar attached to an infra red sensor that flashes when you get alongside someone.
It is utter balls and what was wrong with checking your blindspot?
I'd love too use it as an excuse for not checking blind spot in a driving test.
It's really an annoying light on the A-pillar attached to an infra red sensor that flashes when you get alongside someone.
It is utter balls and what was wrong with checking your blindspot?
I'd love too use it as an excuse for not checking blind spot in a driving test.
Edited by YoungOne on Monday 17th January 19:28
I have always thought this to be a very bad thing.
If anyone thinks it might be a useful feature on a car, as they are aware that they doze off on occasion when driving whilst tired, or sometimes lose concentration and can wander, then maybe they shouldn't be driving. Pandering to them with a system like this just encourages them to think it's acceptable.
If you're tired, or can't concentrate, then don't bloody drive. Dozing off then waking up with a start should be message enough, you don't need a bloody buzzer too
If anyone thinks it might be a useful feature on a car, as they are aware that they doze off on occasion when driving whilst tired, or sometimes lose concentration and can wander, then maybe they shouldn't be driving. Pandering to them with a system like this just encourages them to think it's acceptable.
If you're tired, or can't concentrate, then don't bloody drive. Dozing off then waking up with a start should be message enough, you don't need a bloody buzzer too
Such a system may have helped a mate (read as acquaintance) of mine who fell asleep at the wheel late one night! Luckily for him he survived but was off work/ hospitalised for a significantly long time.
Might also encourage 'lazy' drivers to actually signal prior to changing lane?
Although, I agree all these driver aids actually encourage laziness and bad driving habits!
Mike
Might also encourage 'lazy' drivers to actually signal prior to changing lane?
Although, I agree all these driver aids actually encourage laziness and bad driving habits!
Mike
Wasn't this originally designed to stop you dropping off behind the wheel? I.e, buzzer/juddering steering wheel - awake with a start - panic - swerve. Yeah, very safe! 
A driver 'aid' too far in my eyes.
I'm sure most people can just admit they are tired and pull into the nearest services for 30mins shuteye...
ETA: Beaten to it by Balmoral Green. Yes, I agree. It is pandering to the lazy and uncaring. It will also contribute to chronic lane hogging I would have thought (especially if it can't be switched off).
A driver 'aid' too far in my eyes.
I'm sure most people can just admit they are tired and pull into the nearest services for 30mins shuteye...
ETA: Beaten to it by Balmoral Green. Yes, I agree. It is pandering to the lazy and uncaring. It will also contribute to chronic lane hogging I would have thought (especially if it can't be switched off).
Edited by useyourdellusion on Monday 17th January 19:45
Can't see the problem with it personally. People are going to drive tired or not pay enough attention with or without it (I don't buy that those with a car will think "OK, now I can get away with a little doze on the way home this evening").
I've seen cars wondering out of lanes in the past. Quite common in 50 limit roadworks where the lanes are narrower and spackers in the outside lane cannot guage how close they are to the central reservation barrier (which incidently has small raised neon yellow studs running along it so if you do stray too close to the barrier you get a noise and vibration in the car).
I've seen cars wondering out of lanes in the past. Quite common in 50 limit roadworks where the lanes are narrower and spackers in the outside lane cannot guage how close they are to the central reservation barrier (which incidently has small raised neon yellow studs running along it so if you do stray too close to the barrier you get a noise and vibration in the car).
Balmoral Green said:
If you're tired, or can't concentrate, then don't bloody drive. Dozing off then waking up with a start should be message enough, you don't need a bloody buzzer too
Totally agree with you and the OP.In fact I'd go further.....all safty features should be banned.
I remember when airbags and abs were introduced.
I'm sure the many drivers now just rely on the safty features of thier cars to protect them rather than them having to drive properly.
John D. said:
I've seen cars wondering out of lanes in the past. Quite common in 50 limit roadworks where the lanes are narrower and spackers in the outside lane cannot guage how close they are to the central reservation barrier (which incidently has small raised neon yellow studs running along it so if you do stray too close to the barrier you get a noise and vibration in the car).
But even if people do accidently wander out of lane they must be aware of it, surely???As to the falling asleep assist, there are product on the market (I think Mercedes have one) specifically designed to moniter driver alertness which has to be much better than hoping the driver wanders out of lane before they run into someone, and that a light vibration through the wheel wakes them up.
I just cannot see a situation where something to warn you you've just wandered across into another lane is relevent or desirable.
Oh, and what about cats eyes, surely they're enough to alert you you're at the edge?
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