Driverless cars on UK roads soon.

[numbnuts]

I think these driverless cars should be on rails I know lets call them trains

 

[mcshroom]

Already got them, the DLR

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Well, with 4 out of 5 crashes being the result of driver error, it makes sense to eliminate the biggest contributor.

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[Dan B]

Who'd be to blame in a collision though?

That would depend on whose fault it was

 

[Vapin' Joe]

At some time in the future it will happen as the technology develops and becomes cheap enough. The process actually started in 1932 when the first automatic gearbox was developed, thereby removing a considerable amount of driver input that took time and skill to learn. The acceleration in electronic and GPS technology brings a fully automated vehicle a lot closer.

I have to drive a lot in my job and I'd love to be able to sit back with a cup of tea and a book while I was being ferried to my destination.

 

[John the Monkey]

Putting my driver hat on, I don't like it, especially as I get paid to drive when I choose to work. It is the future though, like it or not.

The potential social change (effectively eliminating an entire occupational class) is huge, and it seems, to me, that not many people are talking about it.

From a safety point of view, I still like this quote I heard;
"If driverless cars are a disaster waiting to happen, 'driven' cars are a catastrophe, happening right now."

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

At some time in the future it will happen as the technology develops and becomes cheap enough. The process actually started in 1932 when the first automatic gearbox was developed, thereby removing a considerable amount of driver input that took time and skill to learn. The acceleration in electronic and GPS technology brings a fully automated vehicle a lot closer.

I have to drive a lot in my job and I'd love to be able to sit back with a cup of tea and a book while I was being ferried to my destination.

But automatic gearboxes are always in the wrong gear and almost impossible to drive economically. We don't seem to have a properly automated gearbox yet.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

But automatic gearboxes are always in the wrong gear and almost impossible to drive economically. We don't seem to have a properly automated gearbox yet.

Millions of people all over the world are happy to drive autos which are constantly improving in that respect. And as a former driving instructor of some twenty years standing, many of those doing advanced / refresher courses I can tell you that at least 50% of manual drivers spend a considerable amount of time in the wrong gear.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Millions of people all over the world are happy to drive autos which are constantly improving in that respect. And as a former driving instructor of some twenty years standing, many of those doing advanced / refresher courses I can tell you that at least 50% of manual drivers spend a considerable amount of time in the wrong gear.

Then I'd fail an advanced driving course. Because my main interest in driving is to save fuel while driving safely.

 

[GrasB]

[QUOTE 3205342, member: 259"]I'm not being funny, but I would have thought it was more like 5/5. Unless it's natural phenomena or mechanical failure, which I would imagine is pretty rare?[/QUOTE]
I think driver error includes things like travelling too fast for the conditions but wouldn't include spinning on diesel or collisions caused by avoiding wildlife in the road.

Remember a car will spin out on diesel at 5mph.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Then I'd fail an advanced driving course. Because my main interest in driving is to save fuel while driving safely.

And being in the correct gear is one of the things that will help you achieve both of those.

 

[Archie_tect]

I think driver error includes things like travelling too fast for the conditions but wouldn't include spinning on diesel or collisions caused by avoiding wildlife in the road.

Remember a car will spin out on diesel at 5mph.

I unintentionally 'left the scene of an accident' on my motorbike after hitting diesel on a remote motorway roundabout on the M62... I slid a long, long way. Two policemen in a Police 'jam sandwich' were watching the traffic from the roundabout and saw me come off and came over, with the intention of giving me a hard time, but when I pointed out how slippery the road surface was, which one demonstrated by accidentally skating down it ...they called in to get the road sanded asap and were then very helpful and 'concerned about my wellbeing'.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

And being in the correct gear is one of the things that will help you achieve both of those.

I'm pretty good at it. But I will spend more time in a gear that's too high for much torque than most other drivers.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I'm pretty good at it. But I will spend more time in a gear that's too high for much torque than most other drivers.

That wastes fuel, puts a strain on the main engine and transmission components and robs you of acceleration and engine braking. The most efficient gear for the conditions will allow the engine to spin freely without undue strain or excessive RPM and will let you adjust your speed with the throttle.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

[QUOTE 3205342, member: 259"]I'm not being funny, but I would have thought it was more like 5/5. Unless it's natural phenomena or mechanical failure, which I would imagine is pretty rare?[/QUOTE]

I was guided by this DfT Report.

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