How To Save A Life

During my time on the service desk at a main dealership, I became acutely aware that the majority of motorists have absolutely no idea what they’ve bought. I put this down to uninterested salesmen, disinterested customers and an unnecessarily complicated product.

Not a day went by where I didn’t receive an irate phone call or be faced with an angry motorist at my desk ranting about their car unexpectedly pulling them about the road. They became particularly hostile when I explained that this was actually a safety feature. The cherry on top being the need to turn these driving aids off every single time you get in the car.

Incidentally, I’m a firm believer that National Service be reinstated in the form of 2 years mandatory customer service roles. Trust me when I say the country will become a far more courteous place.

It beggars belief the manufacturers expect you to achieve this by navigating through a series of menus on a touch screen whilst on the move. It becomes apparent they have never tried to use their own product - (my old man said to never trust a thin cook), all this in a climate where mobile phone use will land you with points on your licence and a hefty fine. Good job, chaps… really knocked it out of the park with that one. Could this be another case of the automotive industry shaping policy?

Our company tow truck is such a vehicle. A few weeks ago, Barney was driving through a village, when a pedestrian stepped out between parked cars. As Barney began to cross the white line to evade the gentleman the lane assist decided to kick in, steering the large pick-up truck back towards the pedestrian. In this instance, manual override was possible. But it certainly got us thinking.

Which system would prevail? Lane assist, or would the collision avoidance system engage in time to save a life? Would both systems yield and let the driver sort it out, letting any potential liability rest with the driver?

-Callum