From: Steve on
Brent wrote:

> with computer controls it would be entirely software to shut down the
> car now.

And the first time someone gets killed because he didn't have the choice
of sacrificing his engine to get to a safe spot....

The final decision should rest with the driver. But the driver should
KNOW what the implications of that decision are.
From: SMS on
Brent wrote:

> with computer controls it would be entirely software to shut down the
> car now.

That's too dangerous. An audible warning when the engine temperature or
oil pressure is getting close to the danger level would be sufficient.

A smoke alarm doesn't require that you constantly check a gauge or a
light for the level of smoke before you hear the alarm.

From: SMS on
Ray O wrote:
> "SMS" <scharf.steven(a)geemail.com> wrote in message
> news:qkzZk.5873$pr6.3308(a)flpi149.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> Scott Dorsey wrote:
>>> SMS <scharf.steven(a)geemail.com> wrote:
>>>> A lot more engines are destroyed by a loss of coolant than "worn out"
>>>> oil. My nephew destroyed a three year old BMW X5 by not knowing or not
>>>> noticing the temperature gauge, after the water pump started leaking.
>>> This is unfortunately a known issue on these cars. But in Driver's Ed,
>>> didn't your nephew get taught to run his eyes across the gauges every
>>> couple minutes and make sure everything was okay? You gotta watch them.
>> There is no more driver's ed in schools.
>>
>
> Our local high school still offers driver's ed.

Wow, where's that?

When I think back to drivers ed in high school, where we'd go four to a
car on the regular roads, with two students in the back seat, while
another student drove, and the instructor was riding shotgun, I can just
imagine the screams of horror by parents if this were to happen today.
From: Vic Smith on
On Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:10:30 -0800, SMS <scharf.steven(a)geemail.com>
wrote:

>Ray O wrote:
>> "SMS" <scharf.steven(a)geemail.com> wrote in message
>> news:qkzZk.5873$pr6.3308(a)flpi149.ffdc.sbc.com...
>>> Scott Dorsey wrote:
>>>> SMS <scharf.steven(a)geemail.com> wrote:
>>>>> A lot more engines are destroyed by a loss of coolant than "worn out"
>>>>> oil. My nephew destroyed a three year old BMW X5 by not knowing or not
>>>>> noticing the temperature gauge, after the water pump started leaking.
>>>> This is unfortunately a known issue on these cars. But in Driver's Ed,
>>>> didn't your nephew get taught to run his eyes across the gauges every
>>>> couple minutes and make sure everything was okay? You gotta watch them.
>>> There is no more driver's ed in schools.
>>>
>>
>> Our local high school still offers driver's ed.
>
>Wow, where's that?
>
>When I think back to drivers ed in high school, where we'd go four to a
>car on the regular roads, with two students in the back seat, while
>another student drove, and the instructor was riding shotgun, I can just
>imagine the screams of horror by parents if this were to happen today.

As far as I know driver's ed is still a HS graduation requirement in
Illinois.
So when you say "There is no more driver's ed in schools" you may only
be talking about California. Or maybe you just don't know.
Remember, you have to look at the big picture.

--Vic
From: Frank ess on


Steve wrote:
> Brent wrote:
>
>> with computer controls it would be entirely software to shut down
>> the car now.
>
> And the first time someone gets killed because he didn't have the
> choice of sacrificing his engine to get to a safe spot....
>
> The final decision should rest with the driver. But the driver
> should KNOW what the implications of that decision are.

You'd expect that to be true in every aspect of motoring, and "on
average" it's true -- isn't it? Seems to be working out
satisfactorily, or the society would change standards for
participation as a driver -- wouldn't it?

--
Frank ess