VSC,.Worth it all the way

Some people bitch about all the technology in the trucks these days. I say some of it is a good thing. I was just reading about it a bit and found this quote:

Experts everywhere agree that ESC(electronic stability control) saves lives. Insurance companies offer a discount for vehicles so equipped. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that if every vehicle on the road had ESC, fatal accidents would be reduced by 10,000 per year. Its 2010 study found that ESC reduces fatal crash involvement on average 33% -- a 20% reduction for multiple-vehicle crashes and 49% for single-car crashes.

 

I just received my policy renewal, and I get about an 8% discount for VSC.

I also experienced it saving my ass several times in slick conditions over the past two winters.

 

Maybe those 10,000 lives shouldnt be saved.. Ever seen some of those people out driving... Its called Darwinism, survival of the fittest.

 

I couldn't agree more! Its like the quote, build something idiot proof and somebody will build a better idiot. We don't need dumber people, we need smarter ones.

 

I have no problem with it , I just wish there was a complete bypass switch for VSC and ABS for the snowy conditions

 

I've never owned a vehicle with it. I'm still here.

 

Our policy with 'safety' features in vehicles is way off base. We shouldn't be making cars that "think" for themselves, we should train better drivers.

Remember when the whole Toyota SUV rolling because the stability control wasn't working? I watched the news cast about the problem. The test driver said that there was a problem with the stability control that caused the vehicle to get tippy when going around corners. In order to reproduce that problem, the test driver was doing something like 35-40 mph on a roundabout highway on ramp and lifted off the gas. Anyone who knows anything about driving knows that when the vehicle is turning at a high rate of speed (right for this example), the weight of the vehicle is shifter left. Then, if you lift off the throttle, the weight shifts forward. You have essentially created a pivot point on the left front tire and that will cause you problems.

The stability control was not the problem. People driving their SUVs like they were sports cars is.

No amount of technology can overcome stupid.

Don't build 'safer' cars, make safer drivers.

 

Going to be on every single vehicle in 2012 and beyond. It's now required by law.

 

But a computer can't really think. It does what it's programmed to. A human brain can interpret what it can see and modify it's behavior accordingly. A computer only has a programmed set of responses, a brain has infinite responses.

I taught driver's ed at MasterDrive, which is a school that teaches skills as much as driving law. We put kids into cars and took them through slalom, simple dynamic braking and handling, complex dynamic braking and handling, threshold braking (controlled panic stop) and even skid recovery. With a little training a person can stop a car faster without abs than with. It's just a matter of knowing the vehicle and how to unlock the brakes if they do lock up, and staying just under the lock up point.

You will never convince me that technology is better than training better drivers.

To venture off topic, I think 16 is too young to get a driver's license. I have never met a 16 year old who was responsible enough when their parents weren't around to drive. I also think our licensing process is a joke. You don't actually have to prove you can drive. Personally, I think you should get your license at 18, after you have driven on a permit for 2 years. And all driver's ed classes need to include driving time, and preferably, skills training.

 

and its a stupid law. Why do I "have" to buy something I don't need? If it is the law Goverment should give us money back for purchasing this junk. Thats at least $2000 worth of electronic garbage in the car.

 

You better not ever sell your current truck

 

I agree completely, we need to train the teenage drivers better, most kids at 16 are not responsible enough to drive safely, 18 would be a better age for most teenagers.

The computers and electronics in the vehicles are giving drivers a false sense of security in their driving habits. Most vehicles are not designed to be driven like sports car, taking turns at high speeds and such. The newer options are helpful, but you loose some of your driving skills, because the computer system takes over to a point.

 

I'm glad we agree. When I see commercials for cars that check your blind spot... I wanna...punch idiots in the face. It takes half a second to check your blind spot. The key to good driving is to remove head from ass, THEN drive.

 

Yes, those commercials are really pretty stupid. If you doze off while driving that can be very dangerous to and all others on the road at that time. You do not need any computer or fancy car, you need to pull over and get some SLEEP!

 

Meh , I'd rather have the idiot driver in front of me alerted to my presence in his blind spot by his vehicle than just go ahead and crash into me .

 

my 2006 was a worthy adversary. my 2010 is not. op tigers dont have vsc

 

Tigers are going to be extinct in 20 years too

 

Sorry guy's, I just don't think My mother is really NASCAR ready right now. I know how to drive as well, never been in an accident after 30 years of heavy driving but sometimes shit happens. This stuff is proven to save lives and thats what it's there for. I am glad my wife can drive my truck and have a slightly better chance of not smashing it up, or getting hurt. The human brain can react accordingly buit not nearly as fast and thats what counts here. Best drivers hit black ice and shit happens. I think it's stupid to think that because you feel your a good driver, you can never get in a bad spot. It reminds me of the people who don't buy health insurance because they feel fine and don't think they will ever get sick. Narrow minded thinking.

 

I never once said I can't get into a bad spot. I'd rather trust myself than some piece of electronics that can just as likely fail as my reaction. If you teach people real skills, they react without having to think about the process. Your ABS actually causes you to stop slower than stopping without the ABS. Now if you are sliding and don't know how to unlock the brakes then yes, ABS is better. I'm saying we need to reach people to learn things like unlocking the brakes.

 

I'd still like to have a complete bypass for VSC and ABS in snow