Robotic Cars

[yenrod]

And then when all the cars, buses, coaches, lorrys & vans are controlled and 'made safe' who's next?

Perhaps we will eventually see horses, dogs and cats fitted with some kind of governor to make them nice and safe! (Bikes, cycles, scooters, skateboards will have been done by then!!)

Lets have some common sense here.....

A machine is a machine a human is a human and animal is an animal.

Mostly, a human has control over the machine to mostly stupid effect.

I won't even start to discuss the animal situation as thats a total different discussion entirely.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Lets have some common sense here.....

A machine is a machine a human is a human and animal is an animal.

Mostly, a human has control over the machine to mostly stupid effect.
I won't even start to discuss the animal situation as thats a total different discussion entirely.

But that's a ridiculous thing to say. 3 000 deaths a year or not, the vast majority of motor vehicle journeys are completed with no bloodshed or damage. And why are you blethering on about animals? What "animal situation"?

 

[Chrisz]

My point wasn't about machine, human, animal whatever. It was about the ever invasive control over our lives by a 'caring' government and the worry over what will they try to persuade us they need to control next (for our own good of course).

By government I mean those in control (Labour, Conservative, who ever) - they have more and more control over our lives every day. Like I said, George Orwell must be laughing his little cock off!!

 

[Chrisz]

And, having been outside school gates at drop-off/pick-up times, the most dangerous thing is Mums who are oblivious to everything/everyone apart from getting their little darling as close to the school gate as quickly as possible- some truly shocking driving behaviour from the very people supposedly concerned about the dangers of traffic!

 

[jonesy]

My point wasn't about machine, human, animal whatever. It was about the ever invasive control over our lives by a 'caring' government and the worry over what will they try to persuade us they need to control next (for our own good of course).

By government I mean those in control (Labour, Conservative, who ever) - they have more and more control over our lives every day. Like I said, George Orwell must be laughing his little cock off!!

Don't be paranoid. A few years ago you weren't allowed to drink in a pub on sunday afternoons, or after 11. Now drinking is far less regulated, as are many other things- it isn't a one-way imposition of control. You are also continuing to ignore the fact that road safety isn't just about protecting us from ourselves, it is about reducing the risk that drivers impose on others. The risks of driving fall disproportionately on those who aren't driving, which is why more needs to be done about it; and a large percentage of drivers clearly can't be trusted to drive at a speed appropriate for roads shared with vulnerable road users.

 

[Chrisz]

Don't be paranoid. A few years ago you weren't allowed to drink in a pub on sunday afternoons, or after 11. Now drinking is far less regulated, as are many other things- it isn't a one-way imposition of control. You are also continuing to ignore the fact that road safety isn't just about protecting us from ourselves, it is about reducing the risk that drivers impose on others. The risks of driving fall disproportionately on those who aren't driving, which is why more needs to be done about it; and a large percentage of drivers clearly can't be trusted to drive at a speed appropriate for roads shared with vulnerable road users.

But you could make a bank withdrawal or fill up at a petrol station or send an email or make a purchase at a shop without being able to track every move! They have so much power now it's unbelievable - sure, there's no need to worry unless you do something wrong, but the system is wide open to abuse.

As to traffic deaths, surely part of the problem is the ignorance of pedestrians and other road users? People seem far less aware of their surroundings these days - have a walk down your local high street and see how many people bimble about without any idea of spatial awareness, lost in their own little world. The best part is, if something happens to them they can always blame someone else. Fall over on the pavement - no worries, blame the council (not your fault you are incapable of looking where you are going) etc.

Paranoid? Moi? Damn right

 

[BentMikey]

As a driver, pedestrians are your responsibility. They too have a right to use the road, and you're the one bringing the danger to them.

 

[jonesy]

But you could make a bank withdrawal or fill up at a petrol station or send an email or make a purchase at a shop without being able to track every move! They have so much power now it's unbelievable - sure, there's no need to worry unless you do something wrong, but the system is wide open to abuse.

As to traffic deaths, surely part of the problem is the ignorance of pedestrians and other road users? People seem far less aware of their surroundings these days - have a walk down your local high street and see how many people bimble about without any idea of spatial awareness, lost in their own little world. The best part is, if something happens to them they can always blame someone else. Fall over on the pavement - no worries, blame the council (not your fault you are incapable of looking where you are going) etc.

Paranoid? Moi? Damn right

That's right- blame the pedestrian! The driver creates the hazard, but let's expect someone else, who isn't a driver, hasn't necessarily learned to drive, might be a child, or disabled, or visually impaired, etc, in a road environment that is often difficult for pedestrians to use, with poor crossing provisions etec, let them take responsibility for dealing with the hazard you create...

I suggest you try that attitude in the workplace: "Sorry Mr HSE inspector, I know the equipment was dangerous, but we gave them strict instructions not to make a mistake, so it isn't our fault..."

 

[Chrisz]

LOL. So as a driver, driving perfectly safely and sensibly, it is entirely my fault if some numpty jumps out into the road from between parked cars and gets hit eh?

Cool, I'll stick my leg out into the street in town and see if I can claim compensation from the idiot who hits me.

Come on people, it's not the car that is the great evil, it's idiots - some may be driving, some may be walking, and one or two may even be on a bike!!!

 

[Chrisz]

I suggest you try that attitude in the workplace: "Sorry Mr HSE inspector, I know the equipment was dangerous, but we gave them strict instructions not to make a mistake, so it isn't our fault..."

If I have given an employee all the correct training and safety procedures/equipment etc they Yes, it is their fault if they chose to ignore instructions and injure themselves - I have taken every practicable measure.

 

[BentMikey]

No-one is saying cars are the danger, but drivers. This might be utterly unfair, but at least to me you're coming across as a max power sort of driver with a "get out of my road" kind of attitude.

 

[hackbike 666]

Come on people, it's not the car that is the great evil, it's idiots - some may be driving, some may be walking, and one or two may even be on a bike!!!

Lack of concentration?

 

[Chrisz]

This might be utterly unfair, but at least to me you're coming across as a max power sort of driver with a "get out of my road" kind of attitude.

I happen to drive an S-Type Jag - hardly Max Power. I generally dislike driving in this country because of all the idiots on (and beside) the road, preferring to drive on the continent where road users tend to be better educated.

I don't drive particularly fast as I try to drive economically - been saving up for my new bike frame. Also, I have never hit anyone (in a car) but have been the victim (as a child) when not looking whilst crossing the road.

 

[BentMikey]

Well, I'd certainly agree with your point that it's far too easy for governments to gain an unnecessary and dangerous amount of knowledge about us in this interconnected world, but that's not what struck me about your initial posts on this topic. What struck me was your need to be allowed to speed, and that's pretty horrifying to me.

 

[jonesy]

If I have given an employee all the correct training and safety procedures/equipment etc they Yes, it is their fault if they chose to ignore instructions and injure themselves - I have taken every practicable measure.

Indeed, but note the emphasis on the statement following "if...". Simply telling people not to make mistakes when you have not done everything practicable to reduce the hazard in the first place will not get you off the hook. And as the research suggest that speed limiters provide a practicable measure for reducing that hazard, then you can have no complaint.