Dangerous Driving 5187Sure, you made a mistake, but don't cut yourself up about it too much; everyone makes mistakes. What's important now is that you learn from the experience. In this case, hopefully you've learned that...
on the topic of "Re: safety devices":
Many people in crashes actually die of heart attacks as their heart has been ripped straight off the short peice of artery that holds it in place, due to the heart swinging forward, hitting the rib cage and breaking off due to the sudden stopping of the vehicle and the chest compressing on the seatbelt-air bag-steering wheel. This apparantly can happen anywhere over about 40mph.
So, the design to compensate against the frailty of the body isn't quite true as it's what happens inside you that now has a greater effect on the body than external changes during a crash. Although current designs dont do this "well enough" is probably more of a reason the above happens.
There is a mix of reasons why the safety features are there, but they broadly cover "increased protection of human life". That may be the vehicle occupant, or a pedestrian (who always comes out worse off).
The reality is having extra safety "features" in vehicles de-sensetises people to the real dangers if they get it wrong.
ABS-Traction Control: More effective breaking in wet conditions, people feel the car can stop quicker (in the dry, it cant but may allow you to steer around an object).
Air Bags: People now dont worry too much about hitting the steering wheel.
Alloys-Low Profile Tyres: Better handling in general, although the safety margin of when a car will become unbalanced and slide is reduced (when its going to slide, there is less warning or feedback in the steering before it happens).
EPS: Again, better handling, less likely to skid the car, but if you push it further, probably higher consequences when it does go (less chance of recovery).
safety devices 5184Brimstone Your "point" (supported, it seems, by one other poster) seems to be that "many" drivers drive faster...
safety devices 5185Brimstone ... Oh dear, oh dear. Reasoned rebuttal of Brimstone's "points" re-instated: Your "point" (supported, it seems, by one other...
Cars are designed to handle better, stop quicker. But the overall factor is that there are still only 4 bits of rubber keeping it in place on the road, if those bits lose traction, you have lost control. The above extras reduce the margin where you can "feel" the car moving around where it shouldn't etc.
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