even more madness

[Michael Rolls]

I do wonder if anyone on government has the slightest claim to joined up thinking. When/if we are subjected to self-driving cars on our roads, apparently it will be perfectly OK for the 'driver' to watch TV whilst the robot takes control. Visualise a long journey on a smoothly moving motorway. Driver decides to watch TV. Now, and I know that I am by no means alone in this, if a TV programme is less than riveting, there is a good chance I will doze off. Then what if the robot needs me to take over? Absolute madness.
Mike

[klondike]

You missed out the best bit. Despite being able to watch TV they will not be permitted to use a phone.

[Michael Rolls]

I did notice that, but apart from the idiocy of TV yes, phone no, it didn't worry me as I don't agree with phoning whilst driving.
Mike

[klondike]

The idea is that you aren't driving.
Maybe they should ban folks using them in taxis? 

[Cassandra]

I do wonder if anyone on government has the slightest claim to joined up thinking. When/if we are subjected to self-driving cars on our roads, apparently it will be perfectly OK for the 'driver' to watch TV whilst the robot takes control. Visualise a long journey on a smoothly moving motorway. Driver decides to watch TV. Now, and I know that I am by no means alone in this, if a TV programme is less than riveting, there is a good chance I will doze off. Then what if the robot needs me to take over? Absolute madness.

Mike

So cretinous could only have been one of Johnson's!

[klondike]

Autonomous cars are either autonomous or they aren't. If they require intervention from a human then they aren't autonomous and should not be so classed. They just have improved cruise control. Given that allowing the nominated driver to watch TV is indeed cretinous. I just thought it was hilarious that they can't use a phone though.

[Cassandra]

Autonomous cars are either autonomous or they aren't. If they require intervention from a human then they aren't autonomous and should not be so classed. They just have improved cruise control. Given that allowing the nominated driver to watch TV is indeed cretinous. I just thought it was hilarious that they can't use a phone though.

Absolutely agree, apparently the argument is your brain uses fields on a phone that corrupt attention that watching a film wouldn't.

Probably Creepy Patrick Vallence or Dr Death Whitty working that out with Ferguson the fungler providing the modelling

[klondike]

apparently the argument is your brain uses fields on a phone that corrupt attention that watching a film wouldn't.

But oddly not if you have an amateur radio licence or even if you are a cabby....

https://www.essexham.co.uk/amateur-radio-whilst-driving

[Cassandra]

But oddly not if you have an amateur radio licence or even if you are a cabby....

https://www.essexham.co.uk/amateur-radio-whilst-driving

I think Plod would proceed along the due care and attention route and justifiably win. Public Service vehicles would also gain relief, Police-cars, Ambulances, care home and hospital transport.

I do remember a case years ago with an eccentric who was trying to establish a record of flying his model plane from John o Groats to Landsend controlling it from his car via a great series of mirrors along the top of the dash, rear parcel shelf etc.

A friend took on the case and said his clients pleading that standing up inside the car through the open sunroof, steering it with his knees, whilst in cruise control mode, staring ever skyward, meanwhile operating a remote radio control unit had seemed quite normal to him?

The judge advised that if he appealed he would recommend him for a 'frontal lobotomy'!

[Diasi]

Autonomous cars are either autonomous or they aren't. If they require intervention from a human then they aren't autonomous and should not be so classed. They just have improved cruise control. Given that allowing the nominated driver to watch TV is indeed cretinous. I just thought it was hilarious that they can't use a phone though.

I've always had a slight hesitancy before activating the cruise control, although I do use it a lot, even in 40 mph zones.

[Michael Rolls]

only use it on motorways - and we don't have motorways north of Perth

[klondike]

I've never got on with cruise control. The last two cars haven't had it anyway.

[Raven]

My last 3 cars had cruise control, it was never used. Useless up here anyway on our wee narrow roads. I did try it on the A9 once when I was heading down to Perth but it's not for me. 

[Michael Rolls]

I've only ever used it on long motorway journeys to ease the cramp I sometimes get when just holding a constant throttle for mile after mile. As you say, the roads up here - pointless
Mike

[crabbyob]

if the roads 'up there' are so bad then surely the govt should restrict the power allowed for cars, only up to 1000cc