4 ms·

FWIW, I find "semi-autonomous" features like automatic cruise control & lane keeping to be a net benefit to my alertness on long trips as they reduce fatigue fr

FWIW, I find "semi-autonomous" features like automatic cruise control & lane keeping to be a net benefit to my alertness on long trips as they reduce fatigue from constant minor adjustments in speed and direction. Clearly it's possible to use these features in a way that increases risky distraction, but I think it's a mistake to assume such a driving mode can't be safer on net when used properly.

piva00 9y ago
I have the opposite experience with lane keeping, it made me space out in a way that when lane keeping didn't work properly I was really scared on how long it took me to react. Definitely vouch for cruise control as having a cramping leg stuck on the accelerator for 5+ hours driving sucks but, personally, would say otherwise for lane keeping.
- CodeCube 9y ago
  Though I use it for the same reason you mention ... I always am paranoid when I have cruise control engaged for very long distances. Have no idea how likely this would be, but the fear that creeps and stays in the back of my head is that I'll get comfortable, reposition my feet as I adjust for comfort, and then miss the brakes in the event of an emergency
andrewfong 9y ago
My favorite semi-autonomous feature is the one where your car detects a stopped vehicle in front of you and tells you to brake.
theluketaylor 9y ago
I rarely use even basic cruise control as I find it extremly hard to stay engaged with it enabled. Small throttle adjustments seem to be the trigger for my driving routines of checking mirrors, monitoring gaps and watching the horizon for curves. Just making steering adjustments isn't enough to keep my brain engaged; I zone out don't maintain enough situational awareness. I can easily imagine there are people who can use lane keeping and radar cruise control safely, but I also know I am not one of them. I'll need to stick with manual driving until the car can drive itself in all cases.
- ghaff 9y ago
  I used to use cruise control more. But now, driving in the Northeast US, there's enough traffic most of the time that I find cruise control encourages me to optimize for maintaining a steady speed rather than driving appropriately for the flow of traffic. I'm not sure the last time I used it.

piva00 9y ago

I have the opposite experience with lane keeping, it made me space out in a way that when lane keeping didn't work properly I was really scared on how long it took me to react. Definitely vouch for cruise control as having a cramping leg stuck on the accelerator for 5+ hours driving sucks but, personally, would say otherwise for lane keeping.

CodeCube 9y ago
Though I use it for the same reason you mention ... I always am paranoid when I have cruise control engaged for very long distances. Have no idea how likely this would be, but the fear that creeps and stays in the back of my head is that I'll get comfortable, reposition my feet as I adjust for comfort, and then miss the brakes in the event of an emergency

andrewfong 9y ago

My favorite semi-autonomous feature is the one where your car detects a stopped vehicle in front of you and tells you to brake.

theluketaylor 9y ago

I rarely use even basic cruise control as I find it extremly hard to stay engaged with it enabled. Small throttle adjustments seem to be the trigger for my driving routines of checking mirrors, monitoring gaps and watching the horizon for curves. Just making steering adjustments isn't enough to keep my brain engaged; I zone out don't maintain enough situational awareness. I can easily imagine there are people who can use lane keeping and radar cruise control safely, but I also know I am not one of them. I'll need to stick with manual driving until the car can drive itself in all cases.

ghaff 9y ago
I used to use cruise control more. But now, driving in the Northeast US, there's enough traffic most of the time that I find cruise control encourages me to optimize for maintaining a steady speed rather than driving appropriately for the flow of traffic. I'm not sure the last time I used it.