December 16, 2007
Staying Alert
With all of the car trouble I've been having (hopefully, I'm finished with it), I've been looking at newer cars. The repairs done should last for another five to six years, so it's not an immediate thing. But in the meantime, I'll keep making "car payments" into my savings account... for that "just in case" scenario... and looking at new possibilities.
More than likely, I'll end up getting a Jeep or pickup truck. But there's been some others that have caught my interest, if only for a little while.
Let me start out by saying that I've got no problem with sleeping while I'm driving. And by that, I mean that I do it easily, and I do it well. All of the time... on the bike, even. Not cool, I know. But then again, it is pretty cool to wake up and see that you're only a couple of blocks from home.
Anyway, I saw that Mercedes is working on an "Attention Assist" system for their vehicles. It's supposed to go into production for 2009, so I was thinking, "Hey, I could buy a used one in a few years!" Probably still couldn't afford it, but still... it was a nice thought.
Until I read this:
The system records the angle of the steering wheel, speed, acceleration, the use of indicators and pedals, as well as external factors such as a side wind or an uneven road surface. If changes occur within the established parameters of the individual's driving behavior (with steering behavior having proved a particularly telling indicator according to Mercedes) a warning sounds and an alert symbol appears in the instrument cluster so the driver knows it's time for a break."With steering behavior having proved a particularly telling indicator"?
Relying on steering may not be a good thing... not with the distances I've driven safely and unconscious. Nope. Not the car for me. I think the only thing that may set the alarm off for me would be the use (or lack) of indicator lights. And who knows? I may even signal in my sleep.
There is one person that immediately came to mind when I read this. But I won't name names. Really. I'm not like that.
Posted by That 1 Guy at December 16, 2007 05:36 AM | TrackBackOh for cryin' out loud. A girl makes one little mistake, falls asleep ONE time and the ribbin' never ends.....
But....if folks want to band together and get me one of those bad boys, I've no objection what so ever. After all, it would make the roads a much safer place with all the driving I do....
;-)
Posted by: Tammi at December 16, 2007 08:33 AMYou know, funny you should say that, but... when I read it, I thought, "Oh! Tammi needs one of those!" ;-)
Posted by: Bou at December 16, 2007 08:50 AMI'd recommend a Dodge Ram, but only if you got an older model. The newer ones are fuggly. (wow, I haven't used that term since the early 90's)
Posted by: Barmy Mama at December 16, 2007 04:10 PMI love my Chevy Silverado. Crew Cab and 4x4. I can put 4 guys in the cab, and a weeks worth of hunter gear in the back, and everyone is comfortable. Put it in 4 wheel drive and handles snow and ice like dry pavement. Although, I have been thinking of getting at Diesel and making my own biodiesel-$0.60 a gallon beats the hell out of $3.00+.
Posted by: Petey at December 17, 2007 08:44 AMPetey: Is it just like that commercial where the guy in the back seat is singing "Man, I feel like a woman!"?
TIG: I will neither confirm, nor deny that Tammi came to mind. *looks around suspiciously*
Posted by: ktreva at December 17, 2007 06:31 PMwhy not really go for it and get a new Jeep?? NICE!
Posted by: Niki at December 21, 2007 08:46 PM
