Safer Vehicles Creating More Danger?

The drive to work this morning was a little dicey, to say the least. The 6 centimetres of snow that fell overnight combined with temperatures that hovered right around the freezing mark to make the roads slick and intersections downright slippery. I parked in my usual spot and as I was standing at the intersection waiting for the walk light I noticed a car sliding over the crosswalk (against the light) with the ABS fully engaged and the driver frantically tossing aside a cell phone.

Watching this reminded me of a story told several years ago by a Canadian automotive journalist. He was talking with others in his profession about the best vehicle for a teenager to drive in the winter and while others were going on about the benefits of front-wheel drives, four-wheel drives, and SUVs, his position was that an older, 6 cylinder rear-wheel drive car would be best. When asked if he was afraid of his teenager putting it into the ditch, he said that at least they would do it at a slow speed. His point was that newer, more advanced vehicles give an inexperienced driver a misplaced sense of confidence and would cause them to drive beyond their abilities.

I'd like to take that thought a few steps further. For those of you who have been driving for a few decades or currently own a pre-80's car, remember what it was like to drive one of those things at 70 mph or higher? You had two hands firmly on the steering wheel, one foot hovering on the brake and even if you weren't religious, your prayed that nothing got in your way.

Today's cars have anti-lock disc brakes, traction control, electronic brake distribution, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, air bags, crumple zones, and all kinds of other features designed to either prevent a crash or protect us in the event of one. These cars also have satellite radios, cup holders, GPS systems, cell phones, and other doodads and add-ons that not only distract us from the job of driving but also deceive us into feeling over-confident about our driving abilities. Don't agree? The next time you're sitting at a red light, take a look around at the ever-increasing percentage of drivers who are on the phone, texting, eating, drinking, reading, or doing any one (or more) of a number of things that distract from their driving. It's become an epidemic!

Here are some questions for you: have the safety devices in today's cars actually created more dangerous drivers? Have people become too complacent behind the wheel? Have today's vehicles actually become too easy to drive?

Rather than junking old cars, I suggest that we refurbish them for new drivers and those who have had an at-fault collision. Put them behind the wheel of a 4 or 6 cylinder, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive car with manual brakes and steering and I can guarantee that you won't see them sliding through a red light while talking on the phone.