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I can agree with both points. The ******** that let themselves get distracted behind the wheel can certainly benefit from this tech, although stricter traffic enforcement is a better solution. But responsible drivers should be able to turn these nannies off.
Yes, I though of that, but manufacturers can make it so that the car goes into "limp" mode when these sensors are disconnected, and trigger CEL making it unable to pass inspection.
IMO if you want anything tech related, newer usually better. However its good to compare manual descriptions of each acronym
The tech like cameras are only switching to HD resolution on the higher end euro imports, so its still low res on everything else. The Toyota Safety Suite is comparable to the 16 onwards LSS+, the older gen was lacking. Heck theres a difference in LSS+ 16 vs 17.
Anyways safety tech is adds an additional layer of protection on the road, but as MM said not a replacement for good ole situational awareness. Best to compare tech in manuals as ads are misleading, and lookout for magazines without semi-auto comparisons to see whose doing what the best
Safety systems can be divided into 2 general categories: passive and active.
Active safety systems are like the Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: They actively move you out of the "unsafe" situation.
A passive safety system helps increase situational awareness: Lane Departure Alert (without Steering Assist), for example, informs you that you may be moving out of your lane but allows you to take your own action to move back in your lane or stay where you are. Passive safety systems include (but may not be limited to):
Safety systems can be divided into 2 general categories: passive and active.
Active safety systems are like the Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: They actively move you out of the "unsafe" situation.
A passive safety system helps increase situational awareness: Lane Departure Alert (without Steering Assist), for example, informs you that you may be moving out of your lane but allows you to take your own action to move back in your lane or stay where you are. Passive safety systems include (but may not be limited to):
Lane Departure Alert
Front obstacle/collision alert
Rear obstacle alert
Rear cross-traffic alert
Blindspot monitoring
Rear-view camera
While we both agree that safety tech has its benefits, illiteracy or assumption based learning for most new customers in the safe use and limitations of each system is what ends up being the flaw in these systems. Situational Awareness is still primarily in the hands of the driver, and semi autonomous systems are an aid to double check what the driver has already concluded from a situation.
Lane Departure Alert (Driver should observe lanes anyways while driving)
Front obstacle/collision alert (driver should be able to gauge distance to car in front)
Not to get off topic but you wrote 'QFT' which as you probably know means 'quoted for truth'
In my opinion, he was, and is, correct. I'm standing by that. I agree with Och that, at today's technology levels (and perhaps with some of tomorrow's as well) self-driving vehicles will potentially cause more problems than they solve.
Now, will it always be like that? Who knows? Maybe...maybe not. But my position is that we'll deal with tomorrow's conditions if and when they come. And, IF they can overcome the potential problems and make self-driving vehicles feasible, fine....I'll appreciate being able to still get around once I'm too old to drive.
Here's a good link on the subject, IMO............
As the development of driverless technology advances, many Americans admit to a growing sense of unease over autonomous cars.
According to a study released by AAA on Tuesday, nearly three-quarters of American drivers report being afraid to ride in a self-driving car. Only 10 percent of those polled said that they would feel safer sharing the road with autonomous cars. This is despite claims that self-driving cars are safer,more efficient, and more convenient than human-driven vehicles.
"A great race towards autonomy is underway and companies are vying to introduce the first driverless cars to our roadways," said Greg Brannon, AAA's director of automotive engineering and industry relations. "However, while U.S. drivers are eager to buy vehicles equipped with autonomous technology, they continue to fear a fully self-driving vehicle."
While it seems that American drivers are not yet ready to fully accept driverless cars, many state that they are excited about high-tech driver-assist systems in their next vehicle. The survey showed that 59 percent of drivers have a very favorable opinion of driver assist systems such as self-parking, lane following, and auto pilot. This suggests that, American drivers enjoy more technologically advanced driver-assist systems, but are not yet ready to turn over full control of their vehicles to a computer.
"US drivers may experience the driver-assistance technologies in their cars today and feel they don't work consistently enough to replace a human driver – and they're correct," said Brannon. "While these technologies will continue to improve over time, it's important that consumers understand that today's systems require your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel."
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 19, 2017 at 10:12 PM.
So my wife's Toyota is coming off lease in about a year or so and I started window shopping for her next vehicle.
Initially, I wanted to pick her up a used Lexus NX/RX, instead of a brand new Rav4. However in our discussions, safety tech is an important factor in her vehicle.
To my understanding, it used to be that the more premium brands had the latest and greatest safety tech, but now, it seems that a base Toyota model is equipped with stuff like PCS with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Alert with steering assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise...
If safety is one of the priorities in our purchase, does it make sense to go with a used vehicle that may not be equipped with the tech or would need to get a higher trim of the used vehicle to get the tech?
thoughts?
If safety was a high priority for my vehicle purchase I would be looking at the Government collision ratings. Having driven the NX & RAV4 if I was trying to maneuver around a collision I would prefer the NX! In sport mode it handles great.
It's important to remember that these safety systems AID the driver, and do not replace the driver. Here's a great chart of LSS+ showing what the systems do. The GS and RX have the better All-Speed DRCC and Lane Keep Assist (vs High Speed DRCC and Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist).
