It is clear that hands-free driving systems are offered in almost all new models, and especially if it is a high-end car, but in general car manufacturers are very careful to insist that the driver must not take their eyes off what happens on the road, and that you are still responsible for the safety of the vehicle.

But one thing is what is said, and another, sometimes quite different, is what is done. Because as these systems increase their capabilities, drivers trust them more and end up paying less attention to what happens on the road. And from there to the accident there is only one step.

I read that General Motors is going to run an information campaign about its hands-free driving system called Super Cruise, to explain what it does and what it doesn't do, and to insist to potential customers that it is not an autonomous driving system. And insisting that drivers are the only ones responsible for the safety of their car.

I think it is a very interesting action to inform users of what they have in their hands, and especially after so many comments tending to misinform, such as those made by Tesla with its Full Self-Driving system, which is not at all Full Driving and that has already produced 17 deaths. I don't understand how the authorities allow these deceptions.

 Make no mistake, these systems are "aids" to driving that can become a "risk" if drivers rely too much on them and stop paying attention to what is happening on the road. Which is very normal after a certain time of using them.

And even if they use them well, over time people become more trusting, and when at a given moment the driver has to take over driving, it is very possible that he takes longer than he should to do so and suffers an accident.

I am not very clear where is the midpoint of the use of these "improvements" to driving. On highways there are fewer incidents and they may be more useful, and in cities the possible incidents are higher and they may be less useful.

Each driver should be as well informed as possible, and will have to see how he applies these aids to his driving. And for this reason I applaud GM's initiative to inform users, as it is a sign of responsibility.

By Amador Palacios

Reflections of Amador Palacios on topics of Social and Technological News; other opinions different from mine are welcome

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

en_USEN