Discovering Increasing Automation in my new car

I don't think it's all positive...I dislike a lot of the driver aids in my new car ..

So much so that I knock them off...there's a lane departure thing that pisses me off no end...there are times when I need to go over a line without my steering wheel being jerked the other way....

I wouldn't be caught dead in a Ford Focus.😱

I like ACC and the emergency stop when reversing if someone steps in behind. Also same for car breaking unexpectedly in front of you. I don't have lane assist which is what most people seem to give out about .

The problem with this automation is that it mostly works but not quite. So when you drive from Blacklion to Belcoo it cannot tell the difference between speed limits in Kmh and mph and if there is speed limit sign missing it hasn't a clue. However, warnings can enhance safety and this technology will become common in regular cars, as a spinoff from the development of automated cars

lane keep assist on Kerry roads especially on BMW is a nightmare. I turn it off. It throws you into the ditch.

Adjusting automatically is good for sure. However, I think of one place where the local authority imposed a 50Kmh limit for a small hamlet with a school, they erected large signs at either end imposing this limit but did not put 80kmh signs on the reverse for people leaving the restriction (I actually pointed this out and they later erected 80kmh signs). Any observant driver knows that the speed limit changed there, but the car would have you drive at 50kmh for the next 5Km.

Authorities could provide a digital speed limit database, but reading signs is prone to error.

As a learner myself I couldn't disagree with you more on this point. This tech is great for those like OP who genuinely require them to maintain their independence whilst having peace of mind. But you stick an able bodied, able minded Gen Z'r in one of these off the bat all it's going to do is breed complacency, and complacency kills.

I had a hard mental barrier when it came to the prospect of getting behind the wheel because my Grandad, having driven for the army for about 20+ years, was a maniac. Never did a single theory or practical test in his civilian life and I had nearly two decades of that "experience" telling me the road was an insane asylum. Once I got over that, driving a manual was the next challenge as being autistic I was worried about having to fettle with a gearbox as such was dead set on only driving automatics, however many friends and family members talked me out of that because the practicality of actually developing my driving skill like it were a profession my life depended on would be the best way way forward. As such I am free to drive whatever it is I can reliably afford to put on the road, well once I am fully licensed, and will have the correct attitude to being the road which is always having my head on a swivel.

Besides, all those aids won't stop some eejit ramming you with his banger because he thinks he can just bully his way around the road. Not to mention, it's just more stuff that can go wrong and break.

I'm not sure I see this as a positive for road safety. It's bling for making the sale, and no substance behind it. Are there any studies that suggest these make you safer, or a better driver?

For example I've seen a car that has little lights to tell you whether your left or right blindspot is occupied. Perfect, that's useful. But can I rely on it? If I see the light telling me it's clear to my side and I move to the lane only to crash into someone in it will Toyota step forward, pay my premiums? Will Gardai say it's grand the computer failed it's not my fault?

No! It's 100% my fault. I'm supposed to check my blindspot, myself with my own eyes. That makes sense. So I don't get it, it's extra flashing lights and sounds and limitations on my driving but ultimately Gardai or RSA or the kind people of the boards or the poor sod I crash into will tell me I was not supposed to use them. And they're right. So it's an extra distraction, or a crutch I will be burnt for using. And if I do against all advice rely on it, I will build horrendous habits.

I think this is technology getting ahead of regulation. I welcome exploring more features that can make our lives better, but I honestly think the manufacturers of these systems need to be held accountable for when they fail. If I crash because the car gave me wrong information to go off on, or the wheel locked because it misread the lining on the road I want to see that investigated and accountable. And we need this done, because next up is self driving and already we're saying yes the car drives itself but it's the driver who needs to be ready to come in and act if anything goes wrong. The manufacturer can take the profit but if anything at all goes wrong it's personal responsibility. We set this up in the most corporate favoring, nightmarish way possible.

I don't think any of us should be happy to see a system where the drivers are accountable for their cars programming, and it doesn't encourage that programming to be good it's specifically encouraging the opposite.

I just know from personal experience having grown up with the boom of tech in the form of internet access and social media. Never bothered "learning" anything as such because I had whatever I needed at my fingertips. The more we as humans engage with tech the more disconnected we become from our surroundings.

First off, fair play. I wouldn't have the spine to leave the ground even with the modern systems that make it way more accessible now compared to back in your day.

As for tech in cars, I'm not against all of it because I don't view it as being all the same. Antilock breaking is fantastic because in the heat of the moment that is going to make a world of difference in avoiding tragedy. However, when it comes to computer assistance that does the thinking for you like OP is describing, that's where I take issue. What's going to happen when that new learner has to get behind the wheel of a car that doesn't have the latest and greatest? Say they've been shipped off to college and all they can afford is an older model without any of this level of assistance, they're going to have the expectation the car is going to tell them what they need to do and when they need to do it only the reality is by the time they actually get any "feedback" the impact has already happened. What's great for some isn't always necessarily great for all. Great for people like OP, or maybe even yourself, but for new young drivers they should learn the fundamentals properly and develop a good ethos around driving.

Edit: I just realised you are OP, my apologies.

It's funny you should bring up requiring mechanical knowhow for older mechanical only vehicles as I am actually considering taking up a mechanics apprenticeship given the massive shortage and I like working with my hands