Safer roads and cars

[awa355]

According to the AA, we need better roads and more modern cars to drive, then the road toll will drop.

Any improvement to the roads can't help but be better.

I have reservations about the car flleet making us all better drivers tho' Would I be a better driver for being in a 2010 model car compared to my 2001 car?? I doubt my driving would be any different.

Sure the brakes, suspension etc would be in better shape than my current car, but ultimately it is my mental atitude / skills to driving that determines if I have an accident. A newer car probably helps your chances of survival, but that is after the accident has occured.

A high powered sports bike would be lovely, but I know I'd be riding a lot faster than the old mid size single banger I ride now.

As far as cars go, the latest technology can not substitute for dumb practices. Reality shows that new cars get driven into accidents as easily as older cars.

What do you think? Would a new Ducati make you a better rider, or just a faster one?

[blackdog]

a new ducati would make me more attractive...

[Mully]

I reckon new technology (ABS, Airbags, etc) has made more of a difference to the road toll than the "Speed Kills" bollocks that TPTB spout.

[bogan]

There are some theories (maybe studies too) showing that as the safety of a situation increases, so do the risks people take. In saying that though, people will always overstep the boundaries, and safer roads and cars will lower the damage to those that do. Imo they can start by ripping up dangerous roadside furniture.

[BMWST?]

2010 car will have traction control,abs ,etc etc etc,much harder to have a "loss of control" accident,but wont help crossing the cl accident

[steve_t]

ESP (or ESC or VDC or whatever you want to call it) is a very good feature for those change in road surface moments or emergency evasive manouvres though the 'hardcore car enthusiasts' seem to normally turn it off anyway

[Mully]

2010 car will have traction control,abs ,etc etc etc,much harder to have a "loss of control" accident,but wont help crossing the cl accident

And as a rule, the new car is more likely to save your arse cf with some old rustbucket.

[HQfiend]

And as a rule, the new car is more likely to save your arse cf with some old rustbucket.

Also more likely to lead to speed creep (faster than they thought they were going due to quietness/smoothness etc.) and lack of driver skill to be masked until to late!

[Gremlin]

We've discussed something similar before. Someone put up a link to a UK story I think, which put various drivers into an older car. Basically, people's skills were lower as the car did more of the driving, as such. Therefore, they struggled in the older car without all the aids.

[Indiana_Jones]

More modern cars? they can fuck off, I like my old shitter

-Indy

[Dadpole]

More modern cars? they can fuck off, I like my old shitter

-Indy

By modern, I assume you mean a car that works.

[Indiana_Jones]

By modern, I assume you mean a car that works.

shhhhhhh, I works, just needs TLC!

-Indy

[Cayman911]

If they take the nissan micra off the road, the roads will be much safer. when you see one, you just know its either going to go 30km/h, or put you in danger. or both.

why would you want one? it looks like a scrotum

[hellokitty]

More modern cars? they can fuck off, I like my old shitter

-Indy

me too! The best thing about having a car with no power steering. dodgy manual gearbox, hard suspension, and no mod cons is that teenage children can't learn to drive in it and yes I took that into consideration when buying it.

The downside is that as it is being done it up, it looks like a shitter and for some reason Mr Hellokitty gets pulled over in it I don't....

But I can drive pretty much anything, after driving my car.

[scumdog]

I reckon new technology (ABS, Airbags, etc) has made more of a difference to the road toll than the "Speed Kills" bollocks that TPTB spout.

Yeah, all that fancy shit allows fuck-witted drongo drivers to survive crashes and carry on driving in that manner - and continue to breed equally fuck-witted kids who will emulate mum/dads piss-poor driving habits.

So there!