Summary of Contemporary Safety Features/Road & Track

[stevewaclo]

Hello All:

Just got the May issue of Road and Track and in addition to articles on multi-$$ cars most of us can only fantasize about, there was one linked below that does an excellent job of reviewing current auto safety technology. Anybody know what haptic feedback is or that side curtain air-bags are inflated by bottled nitrogen (vs gas generator propellant) and why? I thought I knew it all too till I read this well researched overview of wazzup in car safety. Man, these new systems just keep on coming!

And before the usual suspects start sounding off about "nanny technology", take a deep breath and recall that the vast majority of folks we share the roads with are in dire need of as much technological assistance as they can get. And what am I talking about? When ABS and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) kept the wifes Altima Coupe out of a snowy ditch, I did not complain. It was like magic, and did I mention I was behind the wheel?

From the intro:

"the following identifies safety terms, gives some technical insight into their operation and opines on their efficacy"

http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto_news/tech/r-t-safety-glossary

Also, be sure to check out the embedded link to the Accord crash test video. Luved our '97 DX but really glad we never crashed in it (OK, for lots of reasons :lol:).

The article alludes to a Daimler Benz crash video on the R&T site, but darned if I could find it. Here's one from Google (I get choked up watching $60k vehicles smash into barriers :( ):

YouTube- Crash Test 2008 - 20** Mercedes Benz ML Class (Front , Side amd Pole Test) Euro NCAP

[sperry]

I'm all for nanny technology on street cars. I'd even support smart cars that drive themselves on the highway. There's no reason folks should die just because they want to go somewhere and someone else is too lazy to pay full attention to what they're doing behind the wheel.

The caveat of course is that we're going to need a lot more race tracks and recreational roads for those of us that view driving as a pass-time in stead of a chore, and cars as works of functional art instead of appliances.

[stevewaclo]

Well said Scott. I despair the younger generation believes cars are steered with joy sticks :lol:. Perhaps someday they will be but for the forseeable future there's much more fun to be had on tarmac vs on the couch in front of a flat screen. And as Jim (Wes?) pointed out in the March Newsletter, our challenge is to enlighten those youngsters.

Also, a nice lady named Jane at Road&Track sent this link on suspension technology to round out my first post.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto_news/tech/suspended-animation

[Timothy5509]

There is no reason we can't enjoy both, driving in real life and in games. As long as we can understand that cars are the only thing in common. I have played plenty of video games and none that I have tried were anywhere close to real driving, in physics and in fun-factor.

As far as smart cars and such, I think it is a great idea. Too many people don't realize the danger they put others in when they don't pay attention. Like Scott said though, we will need a lot more recreational roads or tracks.

[S2kreno]

How 'bout a "smart-ass" car that delivers a shock to the, um, seat every time someone texts or talks while the wheels are turning :)

[Timothy5509]

:huh:some people might find that enjoyable, and make matters worse.

[dknv]

:huh:some people might find that enjoyable, and make matters worse.
:lol:

I'd like to have some kind of 'cloaking device' that disables cellphone operation while the vehicle is in motion.