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Flashpoint @ Apr 10th 2008 9:51AM
Stop and Go traffic and bumper to bumper traffic is where a huge amount of collissions occur. Not to mention simple parrallel parking.
I want to see ALL new cars coming standard with ultrasonic rear parking - and ALL cars coming with a low speed collission warning system or automatic braking system that detects objects less than 2 feet away at under 15mph and stops the car before impact.
I can't tell you how many times I've been dazed at the wheel and nearly hit people in front of me because traffic was bumper to bumper. An automatic system would help protect you from idiots on cellphones or people playing with the navigation systems.
The only people who would be against my idea are naysayers who claim its too expensive or people working in auto body shops who need the extra revenue that careless drivers create.
Ian @ Apr 10th 2008 9:58AM
I disagree with you because people need to be responsible for themselves. Stop relying on the manufacturer to do it for you. Why is it so hard to pay attention when you're driving? And how is this gonna help you avoid collision unless YOU'RE the one playing with the Navi or on the Cell phone. Its gonna warn me a half second before someone hits me? That's useful. If you can't park the car you own, you shouldn't own it. You don't NEED ultrasonic parking. How long did people drive without these? 70 years? And they seem to have gotten along just fine. Stop thinking that people need LESS involvement with driving. They need MORE.
Seoultrain @ Apr 10th 2008 10:18AM
stricter license testing is the most complete, and simplest, solution
Derek @ Apr 10th 2008 10:22AM
I don't want the extra weight, expense and size that your proposal would force on new cars just because you are a poor driver. If you are that "dazed" behind the wheel, it is simple: YOU SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING. Pull off the road and stop endangering MY LIFE. I suppose we're lucky that you are in bumper-to-bumper traffic where the worst that will happen is a bit of wrinkled sheetmetal; if you have problems maintaining attention at slow speeds I can only imagine the hazard you would pose at highway speeds.
As a diver, I want sole control of the steering, brakes and throttle. Having a computer step in and second-guess my commands is just as bad as a passenger grabbing the wheel.
Bob-omb @ Apr 10th 2008 10:54AM
I love how everyone acts like EVERY accident is avoidable. You're the same people who in the 50's would have said "I'm not adding ten pounds of weight to my car! Who ever heard of SEAT BELTS anyway?!" Give me a break.
Dan @ Apr 10th 2008 11:12AM
Nobody is claiming that being hit by other drivers is always avoidable.
But backing into other cars while parking or rear ending other people in low speed congestion are absolutely avoidable by just paying attention.
The answer to other people too lazy or distracted to turn their heads and look where they're driving isn't me buying a camera.
TW6Speed @ Apr 10th 2008 11:37AM
Who will save us from the idiots who put to much faith in the ultrasonic systems?
Ian @ Apr 10th 2008 11:48AM
Nope, don't drive a Kia. I have 4 cars, a 2005 Chevy TrailBlazer with mild mods (to tow the GTi to the race track), a 2002 VW GTi 1.8T that makes over 500hp, a 1980 VW Scirocco with a 2.0L 8v swap, and a 2006 Nissan 350Z with mild mods.
And you not being capable of parking your S550 doesn't mean we should all run out and get things to avoid bumping other cars while parking. I've NEVER hit another car while parallel parking, and I work in center city Philadelphia and parallel park the Trailblazer frequently. Learn to park your car, and learn to not fall asleep driving during your commute, YOUR liability is then null. You can't control other people hitting you, but you can certainly avoid you hitting other people.
psarhjinian @ Apr 10th 2008 12:21PM
@Ian
I disagree. It's very easy to have a low-speed parking accident that you cannot see and cannot avoid. My 9-3 hatch has a high rear deck and very poor visibility of what's immediately astern. If a post (or god forbid, a child or pet) gets behind me when I'm not looking and I start reversing, I have no way of knowing they're there.
Parking radar/sonar would probably save lives. It'd save paint, too, but that's not so much my concern.
ryan @ Apr 10th 2008 12:54PM
uhm, you can buy kia's with rear park assist. just FYI. not on every model of course, but that's to keep their costs down (the accord and camry don't come standard with it either).
and being "dazed" behind the wheel, as you say? sheesh. scary.
Ian @ Apr 10th 2008 1:45PM
@psarhjinian
And that is 100% your prerogative. The OP is stating that ALL cars should come STANDARD with these things. Meaning, those of us that do not want it would still have to pay for it. I don't mind their existance in some vehicles, but to blanketly state that all cars should have them no matter what is like going along with Al Gore in that all vehicles should have a Tornado Warning System.