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The Dangers of Luxury Cars and GPS

ieee Spectrum -- On the road, we increasingly rely on imperfect computer systems

Spectrum editor Steven Cherry talks to contributor Robert Charette about the risks and implications of technologies that are meant to make driving better. Recently, a California Highway patrolman and his family died in a car crash when he was unable to stop his Lexus ES350 from accelerating. In New York state, incomplete GPS information has contributed to an increase of commercial truck accidents, which has prompted potential legislation. Charette discusses how these particular stories illustrate the automation paradox--the more human operators rely on computer systems, the less likely they'll be ready to respond when those systems fail.

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Submitted Dec 01, 2012 By: ExplorerWA

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52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:7,407 Points:1,770,380 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 2, 2012 2:37:03 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse To many distractions.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,695 Points:776,495 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 2, 2012 7:53:36 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse totally worthless blurb.
jethro5000 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,018 Points:418,935 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 2, 2012 7:51:52 AM Ignore jethro5000 Report Abuse I still set that a driver has to use his mind, can't totally rely on computers...
yardslave Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,697 Points:624,505 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Dec 2, 2012 4:44:32 AM Ignore yardslave Report Abuse It's a computer. Some hardware and software. Not a God......
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,600 Points:2,373,210 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 2, 2012 3:07:15 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse The Dangers of Luxury Cars and GPS and it all comes down to using common sense. GPS systems, programs and map updates are Not perfect. Do No rely on a GPS unit with your life! A GPS unit is only a navigational aid Not to be used as the last word on vehicle travel. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
yankeeriffraff Veteran Author Phoenix Posts:386 Points:236,500 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 11:01:21 PM Ignore yankeeriffraff Report Abuse A lot of the commercial truck accidents are caused by trying to get a 12 ft truck through an 11 ft underpass - doesn't fit.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,955 Points:669,990 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:53:41 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse They're not foolproof!
Tiernan Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,620 Points:847,525 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:39:50 PM Ignore Tiernan Report Abuse Best not to depend on it solely.
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,832 Points:565,745 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:11:27 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse GPS is helpful but is also dangerous at times.
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,212 Points:1,128,890 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:04:38 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse Trust, but verify!
obimerrill Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,585 Points:318,390 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:02:39 PM Ignore obimerrill Report Abuse You have to use it intelligently
peridotgal Rookie Author New York Posts:8 Points:8,215 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:01:54 PM Ignore peridotgal Report Abuse GPS may work for some people but I have never found it to be useful. I do not own one of these devices but a couple of friends have them. Needless to say, more than once we have traveled in circles or in the wrong direction because of incorrect directional information in the device. My husband stills keeps an atlas in his car. Whenever we are traveling and stop for a break, we look for maps. There are many state run facilities that provide maps for free. AAA is also another good choice for travel. Family members have requested maps and current road information prior to taking a trip. The information has always been very useful. What happened if the GPS is stolen from your vehicle? A friend of mine has had two of them stolen from her van. Thieves are not likely to steal paper maps. Sometimes, the old ways are the better ways. It is not hard to learn how to read a map. It's also cheaper on the wallet.
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,700 Points:690,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 10:00:51 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Old News
ortegs12009 Champion Author California Posts:1,253 Points:708,060 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:52:33 PM Ignore ortegs12009 Report Abuse gas
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,445 Points:546,325 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:51:59 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse I always check out a map,first.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,750 Points:3,520,455 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:50:25 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Hopefully Microsoft never writes the software to control cars.
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,623 Points:1,739,410 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:47:28 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse Not a clear and present danger
PizzaMon Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,134 Points:1,886,455 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:46:53 PM Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse Bad hyperlink.
vibdata Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,186 Points:867,210 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:46:46 PM Ignore vibdata Report Abuse On the road? Try everywhere. You know your medical procedures are most likely controlled by Microsoft Windows???? That should be ILLEGAL.
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:519,980 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:45:27 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse True.
sickhp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,489 Points:543,480 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:41:31 PM Ignore sickhp Report Abuse I use GPS daily and will continue.
jorod55 Champion Author California Posts:1,617 Points:459,425 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:39:36 PM Ignore jorod55 Report Abuse I still don't trust GPS systems. Once one of them wanted me to turn down a foot trail. Not happening in a 30 foot motor home. I like my paper maps, thank you.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:10,004 Points:1,641,675 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:36:47 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse The text shown above is all there is and the audio won’t play. Oh well, it is obvious that there is too much electronic jimcrackery in cars nowadays. Better to remove the distractions, leave the driver alone and let him drive.
AllStarFame Rookie Author Columbus Posts:6 Points:107,995 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:35:44 PM Ignore AllStarFame Report Abuse Flaws of technology.
preacherjohn Champion Author Modesto Posts:4,100 Points:1,944,265 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:35:37 PM Ignore preacherjohn Report Abuse I think they are as bad as a phone for distraction.
ramshot412 Champion Author Riverside Posts:20,279 Points:2,491,565 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:35:10 PM Ignore ramshot412 Report Abuse Okay.
tjc09f Veteran Author Tallahassee Posts:477 Points:694,475 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:32:41 PM Ignore tjc09f Report Abuse Interesting
JimVP All-Star Author Chicago Posts:647 Points:163,335 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:30:07 PM Ignore JimVP Report Abuse Still do not use cruise control though my cars have them. While driving you should be awake.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,224 Points:897,080 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:27:08 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse The driver still has to be alert.
TornadoRed Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,900 Points:726,635 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:22:31 PM Ignore TornadoRed Report Abuse Incidentally, regarding accidents involving commercial trucks.... the GPS map systems I'm familiar with do not differentiate between truck routes and non-truck routes. So a trucker could easily be directed to turn onto a highway not designed to handle a truck of his size.
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:9,391 Points:1,853,695 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:19:54 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse you still have to drive the car
jl1rp Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,978 Points:386,040 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:17:11 PM Ignore jl1rp Report Abuse Just wait till self driving cars hit the road. Less tech make better drivers.
GrumpyCat Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,757 Points:810,870 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:16:17 PM Ignore GrumpyCat Report Abuse Silly "journalists" let their computers do their writing for them. All they care to hear is the problems. They never look to find the instances where the GPS helped. The California highway patrolman died in a car with a low tech floor mat wedging the accelerator pedal. It happened in the same car, same floor mats, several days prior to his fatal accident.
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:8,394 Points:1,843,945 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:15:10 PM Ignore mplato Report Abuse next will be dangers of driving and full moons
nimpy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,275 Points:1,728,805 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:14:02 PM Ignore nimpy Report Abuse Just remember humans programmed and invented the technology
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,710 Points:1,540,805 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:13:45 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse Only as good as the dumb humans who rely on it
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:6,337 Points:1,333,870 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:10:28 PM Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse Silly stuff technology!
DarthDadJr Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,432 Points:1,546,645 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:10:06 PM Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse I find GPSs useful, but we need to remember that it is fallible and can be wrong.
GigHarborHound Champion Author Tacoma Posts:2,674 Points:515,215 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:09:23 PM Ignore GigHarborHound Report Abuse Not again!!
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,765 Points:1,571,190 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:08:47 PM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse People should not follow GPS 100%.
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:7,146 Points:1,384,135 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:07:31 PM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse I have a luxury car with radio and power windshield wipers.
CHEAPERBETTER Veteran Author Lansing Posts:420 Points:739,125 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:06:29 PM Ignore CHEAPERBETTER Report Abuse And they want us to have a car that drives itself. I don't think so.
TornadoRed Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,900 Points:726,635 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 9:03:12 PM Ignore TornadoRed Report Abuse Want a laugh? Go to Google Maps, ask for directions between Wayzata, MN and Saint Paul, MN. Then look at the directions -- especially what you are asked to do about mid-span on I-94 crossing the Mississippi River.
TornadoRed Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,900 Points:726,635 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:58:56 PM Ignore TornadoRed Report Abuse I can see how relying on GPS directions could lead to an accident, if one takes a turn that he wasn't supposed to and then tries to over-correct. This is more likely to happen where there are inadequate signs or signs that are themselves unclear.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,925 Points:845,985 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:57:55 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse I have seen too many glaring map errors to put complete trust in a GPS, they are just aids in navigation, not a solve all problems panacea... I still use paper maps to pre-plan trips whenever possible.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,529 Points:445,200 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:57:34 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Oh my!
sackman All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:712 Points:299,455 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:54:36 PM Ignore sackman Report Abuse Interesting...
Spankster85 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,859 Points:384,315 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:51:59 PM Ignore Spankster85 Report Abuse The problem is that GPS systems that are built into the actual vehicle are updated less frequently than a stand alone or phone GPS. Part of the issue is that the built in systems are way too expensive to update.
GoGoGoodyear Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,119 Points:530,990 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:50:54 PM Ignore GoGoGoodyear Report Abuse When the FAA investigates an aircraft accident, unless it was caused by an entirely unforseeable mechanical failure it always comes down to the pilot's responsibility, which is #1 above all else to maintain control of the aircraft. Telling the FAA that your navigation instruments were faulty does not cut it. It should be the same for a driver. It's true that the convenience of electronic stuff is making us lazier. I'm astounded by store cashiers these days being unable to make change unless the cash register tells them how much to give back. What ever happened to training?
yorkygurl2008 Veteran Author Indiana Posts:257 Points:51,785 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 1, 2012 8:48:03 PM Ignore yorkygurl2008 Report Abuse PEOPLE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION