I have heard many times about the times that modern car safety aids have helped avoid an incident – and the same happened to me the other day – a load of police cars coming alongside fast and I checked my mirror and looked to the side BUT the car in front stopped and I hit the brakes:eek: – and ABS saved the crunch. Brilliant I thought – I was really glad my Fabia had this feature at the time.

But… I could not help thinking that in all the years I have driven Estelles I have never even come close to a shunt. I have avoided someone pulling out, but have always maintained a good gap. Is it perhaps that because the newer cars are more ‘remote’ and the sensation of the driver being part of the road and having to concentrate 100% has been eliminated under the guise of ‘refinement’?

I would hope that having a newer car will not make me a lesser driver – but I am concerned that it may. Anyone here have any thoughts on the matter?

Ian

A good driver will stop in a shorter distance without ABS, of course, but you might be right. On the rare occasions I've been behind the wheel of a 70s or 80s car, I've certainly been more circumspect when driving, although that could have been becuase they weren't mine...

Older cars do make you more aware of what you are doing, how fast you are going, braking distances etc. Lack of power steering, no servo brakes, the sense of speed - it all adds up to keep your mind on the job.

New cars are almost too refined...they lull you into a false sense of security, and modern drivers rely on the latest technology to "save" them.

I'm all for refined cars and technology, but would agree to an extent that driving standards have fallen as the car's make up for driving inability.

Was that even the answer to your question?

Yes Shifty - sounds right to me. Another thing is I find I was overtaking other cars more than in my Estelle - BUT I have counteracted this and just take it easier now. At the lights, the car previously overtaken ALWAYS catches up (my Estelle catches up the overtakers at the lights too!).

Ian

I've seen that suggested before. My attitude is that my car has ABS and traction control, but I try not to use them.

Just been to Autostadt yesterday (the VW "theme park" in Wolfsburg)

The amount of driver aid technology on display & in current models ...

steering wheels that vibrate if you veer out of lane

automatic cruise control distance, i.e. get to close & it brakes.

Automatic parking assistance, i.e. parallel parks for you.

You only have to wonder how long it will be before we speak into a voice activated sat nav & let the car do all the work itself.

I definitely notice the 40 year technology gap between my cars,

although I know which car I do most mileage in

cheers ... Darren