Euro NCAP to mark down cars relying on touchscreens

[dhutch]

Pica-Pica said:

Lane assist is turned off when you indicate. But like you, I don’t always wish to indicate when changing lanes, that is my decision as to whether it is needed, and I certainly don’t want to always indicate when I move back into a left lane after overtaking.

I always aim to use my indicators correctly, including both at the start and end of an overtake, why wouldn't you? By definition there is at least one other car about to see it.

That said, driving the wife's 20 plate Volvo V60 with lane assist has highlighted that I am occasionally a bit sloppy and times, which has been a good reminder.

[ambuletz]

looking at review videos of the new land cruiser.. whilst it has a screen, everything for the important stuff are chucky buttons, apparently designed so you can even use them with gloves on.

hopefully this is a step i the right direction (backwards) for interior design functionality

[Panamax]

It does seem absurd that you're not allowed to use a phone in the car and yet the car is controlled through an iPad stuck on the dash with highly complex menus and images.

Definitely IMO the main controls should be on clearly marked switches in familiar positions. It used to be called "the rental car test" whereby you could pick up any car and be able to drive it sensibly without needing to learn a complicated manual beforehand. Standard position of the indicator stalk, and so forth.

Two of the oddities that have confused me most in the past are cars with a collar that has to be lifted to engage reverse and a Saab with ignition switch between the seats. But neither of these was an actual hazard to driving.

[LunarOne]

Panamax said:

It does seem absurd that you're not allowed to use a phone in the car and yet the car is controlled through an iPad stuck on the dash with highly complex menus and images.

Who told you you're not allowed to use a phone in the car? You can do anything you like on your phone as long as:

1. It's not hand-held.
2. It's not distracting you from your driving.

[QBee]

Panamax said:

...... and a Saab with ignition switch between the seats. .

A brilliant piece of Swedish security.
Any scumbag can break your steering column iginition -based steering lock off in ten seconds flat.

The Saab security device is a transmission lock, no keys and you cannot work the gearbox.
I cannot speak for manual Saabs, but when my automatic Saab is parked, it has to have the gearbox in Park for you to extract the keys.
So it cannot be moved anywhere without the keys because the transmission is locked in Park.
Genius

PS, I hate keyless entry/start - the work of the devil.
I prefer my car to be where I left it, when I return to it.

[Xerstead]

bigothunter said:

croyde said:

I bought a new car a few weeks ago and thankfully it doesn't have lane assist or stop/go.

I had a courtesy car last year, an electric Zoe. Once on the A3 I overtook a line of traffic and gently eased back into lane 1. Except I thought I had had a front wheel blow out.

The steering was fighting me and took me by surprise. It was only when I got it back to the dealers that I was told that it had lane assist.

What a fekin stupid idea.

Just wait for the more aggressive Emergency Lane-Keeping Assist which really takes over steering control

Not sure if the driver can turn it off...

It's bloody dangerous. I had a rental Corsa last year for a trip down to Exmoor. Driving along a fast country road, maybe 50mph, the car got confused by some light grooves/markings in the road surface and firmly turned right into the opposing lane! Fortunately there was no oncoming traffic and I had a firm grip on the wheel.

Edited by Xerstead on Wednesday 3rd April 12:27

[119]

I’m reasonably sure the lane assist features have various different settings to change how much it interferes.