I'm a massive fan of lane assist - usually on the motorway I'm in no rush so set the cruise to 65 and potter in and out of the 1st lane with lane assist enabled. Literally only need a finger and thumb on the wheel and I'm pretty much centred in the lane 99% of the time. 

 

So, in a controller manner, I wanted to see what happens when I keep my hands off the wheel even after the warnings and with cruise set. First thing was small steering inputs to shake me about then, which came as a shock, a sharp dab of the brakes! Clearly to try and wake me up and definitely would have if I was asleep. I didn't go any further, I doubt it will disable the lane assist but possibly the cruise control? 

 

Unless I've missed threads, there isn't that much info about lane assist/it's effects and people's opinions on it so here we are... 

Same for me. The most I've tried it when it does the sharp break. Didn't want to risk it stopping the car completely on the motorway

Edited 13 May, 20188 yr by Novascape

Lane assist behaviour has changed on newer versions:

My Octavia beeps if it senses I haven't been steering for 5 - 10 seconds.

Then it beeps again and disables Lane assist.

No steering wheel shaking or braking.

4 hours ago, Petunet said:

Lane assist behaviour has changed on newer versions:

My Octavia beeps if it senses I haven't been steering for 5 - 10 seconds.

Then it beeps again and disables Lane assist.

No steering wheel shaking or braking.

 

Different countries different laws perhaps? Must be about 20s on my car before it complains.

 

Not a fan of lane assist for a variety of reasons. But can't understand this idea of it being relaxing and making steering easier - control only using finger and thumb? So what's the other three fingers doing - one holding a coffee, the other resting on the window ledge, nose cleaning with the other    I'd find it uncomfortable / annoying only having two fingers on the steering wheel therefore I use my hand to steer the car. And for the past 40 years, somehow have managed to keep the car in the centre of the lane. 

 

In summary, lane assist answers a question I've never asked.

Edited 14 May, 20188 yr by Guest

I tried it properly on a 400 mile round trip recently and after I got used to it and relaxed my hand a little I found it quite enjoyable.

2 hours ago, Scot5 said:

 

Different countries different laws perhaps? Must be about 20s on my car before it complains.

 

Not a fan of lane assist for a variety of reasons. But can't understand this idea of it being relaxing and making steering easier - control only using finger and thumb? So what's the other three fingers doing - one holding a coffee, the other resting on the window ledge, nose cleaning with the other    I'd find it uncomfortable / annoying only having two fingers on the steering wheel therefore I use my hand to steer the car. And for the past 40 years, somehow have managed to keep the car in the centre of the lane. 

 

In summary, lane assist answers a question I've never asked.

After an 18 hour day, driving home at 4am this morning, I could definitely appreciate lane assist. 

Mine is an MY18 O3 and it does the warning jab of the brakes. Not that I’ve experienced that in anger yet, but I’m sure it would wake me up if needed!

7 hours ago, Petunet said:

Lane assist behaviour has changed on newer versions:

My Octavia beeps if it senses I haven't been steering for 5 - 10 seconds.

Then it beeps again and disables Lane assist.

No steering wheel shaking or braking.

 

Same thing happened to me on T-Roc test drive.

Edited 14 May, 20188 yr by Croat

There's already a recent "Lane Assist Topic" with some useful information in it.

 

 

3 hours ago, Scot5 said:

 

Different countries different laws perhaps? Must be about 20s on my car before it complains.

 

Not a fan of lane assist for a variety of reasons. But can't understand this idea of it being relaxing and making steering easier - control only using finger and thumb? So what's the other three fingers doing - one holding a coffee, the other resting on the window ledge, nose cleaning with the other    I'd find it uncomfortable / annoying only having two fingers on the steering wheel therefore I use my hand to steer the car. And for the past 40 years, somehow have managed to keep the car in the centre of the lane. 

 

In summary, lane assist answers a question I've never asked.

 

 

I totally agree. And I'm completely horrified by what I've read in this whole thread..... ... the whole concept of Lane Assist, and this assumption that steering a car with just finger and thumb is OK?  Really? 

Driving needs 100% attention to DRIVING. 

 

I completely despair at the lax, lazy and laid back attitude to driving these days. 

 

In the last week, on a journey to Huddersfield we saw.... 

A driver with his right arm completely out of the window holding his roof rack on the A1 travelling at 70mph with a car full of passengers including children. 

 

Was he taught to drive like that? Would he have passed his driving test driving like that? No he would not. 

 

A driver who decided that he would jump a set of lights by overtaking 7 cars in the lane we were travelling in at about 50mph, and then go straight through the red light in the right hand turn lane before carving back into the traffic. Speechless..... So dangerous... To other people. 

 

A caravan being towed past us at what must have been 80mph....in the outside lane of the M18...... Illegal lane, illegal speed.. 

 

We lost count of mobile phone users at the wheel. We gave up at 27.

 

As an advanced motorist, a regular reader of Roadcraft (the police driving manual) and a supporter of BRAKE, and other road safety charities I will repeat the police advice. 

 

Driving is a TASK. Treat it as such at all times. Always be in full control of your vehicle, in the right lane, at the right speed and with full regard for other road users. 

Try convincing your insurance company in the event of a collision that you were in FULL CONTROL. steering your car in any of the ways illustrated. Or with finger and thumb...... Gawd help us. Not even amusing guys. 

 

And if you have a tyre blowout at 70+ you'd better pray to any Gods you believe in that you've got that steering wheel in both hands. 

 

NONE of these GADGETS are there to replace your obligations, in law, as a driver. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 14 May, 20188 yr by FurryFriend

9 hours ago, Scot5 said:

 

Different countries different laws perhaps? Must be about 20s on my car before it complains.

 

Not a fan of lane assist for a variety of reasons. But can't understand this idea of it being relaxing and making steering easier - control only using finger and thumb? So what's the other three fingers doing - one holding a coffee, the other resting on the window ledge, nose cleaning with the other    I'd find it uncomfortable / annoying only having two fingers on the steering wheel therefore I use my hand to steer the car. And for the past 40 years, somehow have managed to keep the car in the centre of the lane. 

 

In summary, lane assist answers a question I've never asked.

 

A friend has a MY15 Octavia and it behaves as you described.
So there's definitely difference between model years.

7 hours ago, FurryFriend said:

I totally agree. And I'm completely horrified by what I've read in this whole thread..... ... the whole concept of Lane Assist, and this assumption that steering a car with just finger and thumb is OK?  Really? 

Driving needs 100% attention to DRIVING. 

 

I completely despair at the lax, lazy and laid back attitude to driving these days. 

 

In the last week, on a journey to Huddersfield we saw.... 

A driver with his right arm completely out of the window holding his roof rack on the A1 travelling at 70mph with a car full of passengers including children. 

 

Was he taught to drive like that? Would he have passed his driving test driving like that? No he would not. 

 

A driver who decided that he would jump a set of lights by overtaking 7 cars in the lane we were travelling in at about 50mph, and then go straight through the red light in the right hand turn lane before carving back into the traffic. Speechless..... So dangerous... To other people. 

 

A caravan being towed past us at what must have been 80mph....in the outside lane of the M18...... Illegal lane, illegal speed.. 

 

We lost count of mobile phone users at the wheel. We gave up at 27.

 

As an advanced motorist, a regular reader of Roadcraft (the police driving manual) and a supporter of BRAKE, and other road safety charities I will repeat the police advice. 

 

Driving is a TASK. Treat it as such at all times. Always be in full control of your vehicle, in the right lane, at the right speed and with full regard for other road users. 

Try convincing your insurance company in the event of a collision that you were in FULL CONTROL. steering your car in any of the ways illustrated. Or with finger and thumb...... Gawd help us. Not even amusing guys. 

 

And if you have a tyre blowout at 70+ you'd better pray to any Gods you believe in that you've got that steering wheel in both hands. 

 

NONE of these GADGETS are there to replace your obligations, in law, as a driver. 

 

Holy crap, you saw all that (including counting people on the phone) but you were 100% concentrating on driving? How many eyes do you have?

 

Actually, scratch that, even if you had 12 eyes you still couldn't be 100% concentrating on driving to play 'spot the mobile phone user'...

 

Having said that, I agree that driving without two hands on the wheel is asking for trouble. Whilst I appreciate most of the lane assist comments relate to motorways, perhaps with great visibility and reasonable road surface, "always expect the unexpected". 

 

A detached wheel from a lorry for example, (happens way more frequently than I would have thought), debris from other vehicles/tyre remains/animals/stones from tipper lorries, I've seen it all, and can be hard to spot - especially when dark.

 

 

I've found the lane assist to be very helpful.

 

It's very good for those long motorway drives, especially when it's heavy with traffic. You can spend that bit more time looking around at the environment rather than having an eye constantly staying in your lane.

 

I'd always have both my hands on the wheel as I've seen some shockers on the motorways.

 

If you take your hands off mine, it shouts at you and then turns itself off. 10 seconds from hands off to lane assist off.

9 hours ago, FurryFriend said:

 

 

I totally agree. And I'm completely horrified by what I've read in this whole thread..... ... the whole concept of Lane Assist, and this assumption that steering a car with just finger and thumb is OK?  Really? 

Driving needs 100% attention to DRIVING. 

 

I completely despair at the lax, lazy and laid back attitude to driving these days. 

 

In the last week, on a journey to Huddersfield we saw.... 

A driver with his right arm completely out of the window holding his roof rack on the A1 travelling at 70mph with a car full of passengers including children. 

 

Was he taught to drive like that? Would he have passed his driving test driving like that? No he would not. 

 

A driver who decided that he would jump a set of lights by overtaking 7 cars in the lane we were travelling in at about 50mph, and then go straight through the red light in the right hand turn lane before carving back into the traffic. Speechless..... So dangerous... To other people. 

 

A caravan being towed past us at what must have been 80mph....in the outside lane of the M18...... Illegal lane, illegal speed.. 

 

We lost count of mobile phone users at the wheel. We gave up at 27.

 

As an advanced motorist, a regular reader of Roadcraft (the police driving manual) and a supporter of BRAKE, and other road safety charities I will repeat the police advice. 

 

Driving is a TASK. Treat it as such at all times. Always be in full control of your vehicle, in the right lane, at the right speed and with full regard for other road users. 

Try convincing your insurance company in the event of a collision that you were in FULL CONTROL. steering your car in any of the ways illustrated. Or with finger and thumb...... Gawd help us. Not even amusing guys. 

 

And if you have a tyre blowout at 70+ you'd better pray to any Gods you believe in that you've got that steering wheel in both hands. 

 

NONE of these GADGETS are there to replace your obligations, in law, as a driver. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try lane assist. One less thing to think about when you're despairing about and being distracted by other people's driving :-) 

 

Seriously though, it is possible to maintain the required level of concentration with lane assist enabled. Especially at 65mph. I seem to concentrate more on longer distance observations. 

 

I disable it when I need to make safe progress. 

 

Interesting comments so far! 

It  comes down to always expecting the unexpected, and reading the road ahead. 

Most drivers do this, and complete journeys without any problems, fortunately, but there are some shockers out there. 

 

Just to clarify for you PistoNbroke... My wife is the mobile phone spotter. I drive the car. Virtually all the drivers she saw were stopped at traffic lights, but it still shows that working drivers are still willing to risk losing their jobs and livelihoods. 

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, FurryFriend said:

 it still shows that working drivers are still willing to risk losing their jobs and livelihoods.

The thing is that there are so few Traffic Police that they know the risk is very low, so they are prepared to take the risk - and put every other road user at risk from their inattention to driving.

You're One Hundred percent right. Rudeness, arrogance and sheer bad driving is commonplace. 

 

Dashcam is your best friend today. That, and always setting a good example with your own driving. 

 

We used to live in Devon. Every year, the police down there operate Operation Vortex. They put out a large number of unmarked cars to catch the worst of the worst. It makes sobering reading. 

I only wish ALL police forces did it, because it works. 

I see the lane assist as an assistant, it just assists with the wheel a little and could save you if you have a momentary lapse of concentration (eg your baby tosses a toy at you haha) ... I still have full control and hands on the wheel.  I have never completely trusted it to just drive my car as there are always dodgy white lines and bloody 50mph road work sections.

 

You want to see the state of driving these days ride a motorbike to work, filtering past slow moving traffic I would say that 50%+ of people are on their phones creeping along, veering around in their lane; I smell weed every few minutes and I even filmed a woman using her iPad once!  

 

Sooner or later cars will become more autonomous on the motorways, (eg TESLA autopilot, Nissan Leaf, etc)

Edited 15 May, 20188 yr by buaan

On 13/05/2018 at 20:47, Swirly182 said:

I'm a massive fan of lane assist - usually on the motorway I'm in no rush so set the cruise to 65 and potter in and out of the 1st lane with lane assist enabled. Literally only need a finger and thumb on the wheel and I'm pretty much centred in the lane 99% of the time. 

 

So, in a controller manner, I wanted to see what happens when I keep my hands off the wheel even after the warnings and with cruise set. First thing was small steering inputs to shake me about then, which came as a shock, a sharp dab of the brakes! Clearly to try and wake me up and definitely would have if I was asleep. I didn't go any further, I doubt it will disable the lane assist but possibly the cruise control? 

 

Unless I've missed threads, there isn't that much info about lane assist/it's effects and people's opinions on it so here we are... 

 

I bet it's really good fun if you shut your eyes as well.......................

 

 

 

Edited 15 May, 20188 yr by Auric Goldfinger

Only with adaptive cruise control! 

23 hours ago, buaan said:

Sooner or later cars will become more autonomous on the motorways, (eg TESLA autopilot, Nissan Leaf, etc)

Not sure whether that's a good thing - given the current state of the Tesla AutoPilot software which is regularly in the US press for having not spotted an obstruction (articulated truck, central barrier,...) and killed the driver.

40 minutes ago, SWBoy said:

Not sure whether that's a good thing - given the current state of the Tesla AutoPilot software which is regularly in the US press for having not spotted an obstruction (articulated truck, central barrier,...) and killed the driver.

 

Couldn't agree with you more. But on the flipside, there are many more crashes and fatalities when human beings are 100% in control.

 

We need to face fact that nothing is 100% foolproof which is partly where my gripe with Lane Assist lies. Reading some people's comments ( i.e.  only steer with finger and thumb) suggests the driver can somehow just sit back and relax. That's the problem with any full autopilot device. 

Edited 16 May, 20188 yr by Guest