<VV> What is safe anyway?

[Sethracer at aol.com]

I like "driver aids" that can be removed when not wanted. When I autocross  
my C6 Corvette, I turn off Stability Control and Traction control. It's 
drive  time! The only time I have EVER turned them off on the street- actually  
only the traction control off - was to do a burnout. The ABS cannot be 
turned  off at all, even in competition (unless you start pulling fuses, etc.) I 
 actually used the ABS last night, (my bad!) I was following a little too 
close  and, 10 cars ahead, someone had to stop to make a decision (grrrgh). I 
never got  closer than 6 feet to that bumper ahead, but that really seems 
close when  the brake pedal is on the floor and the tires are chirping their 
way to a stop.  I am glad that nobody was behind me - I would have been a 
hockey puck. 
 
You mentioned the target customer for the "assisted" car. I would not call  
the CTS a "boring, dangerous" car. There are plenty of those, but not too  
many new ones. (Many may be boring, but hardly any are dangerous). I 
understand  your comment on your wife's capabilities. (Though I am not so sure she 
would!)  But she does, indeed, represent a much greater percentage of the 
driving public  than we do! And I have to admit, that may be a good 
thing.<grin>  Now, you asked about "safe" drivers and what that represents. There are 
boring,  safe drivers, as well as boring, safe cars. The problem, I guess 
becomes acute  when unsafe drivers get into unsafe cars. "Accident looking for 
a place to  happen". I feel that many of the "driver assistance" features 
protect, not only  the driver and passengers, but the other cars/drivers 
around that car - one of  whom might be me! The cautionary lesson here is to not 
let those "driver  aids" take the place of alert, active driving. Many 
people are lazy enough to  let that happen. Pardon me while I remote start my 
car.
 
- Seth 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 3/27/2013 9:11:37 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
joel at joelsplace.com writes:

There  are some new cars that do both but most I've driven understeer.   
Certainly not as bad a stock vehicles of the 70's but still dangerous for  me. 
 I believe a car should still be controllable when you have all four  
wheels sliding.  That's the difference between a safe, fun car and a  boring, 
dangerous car.  Obviously my wife (someone who isn't a good  driver and isn't 
really interested in learning) is closer to the target  customer than I am.
Joel  McGregor