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Kind of a mod
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Donkey Land
Casino cash: $726899
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Driverless cars could change everything
Thought this article was cool to think about.
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-28376929 Driverless cars could change everything For now, it seems like a novelty - cars that can operate independently of human control, safely cruising down streets thanks to an array of sensors and pinpoint GPS navigation. But if the technology avoids getting crushed by government regulators and product liability lawsuits, writes the Federalist's Dan McLaughlin, it could prompt a cultural shift similar to the early 20th century move away from horses as the primary means of transportation. First and foremost, he writes, the spread of driverless cars will likely greatly reduce the number of traffic accidents - which currently cost Americans $871b (£510b) a year. "A truly driverless road would not be accident-free, given the number of accidents that would still be caused by mechanical and computer errors, weather conditions, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and sheer random chance," he says. "But it would make the now-routine loss of life and limb on the roads far rarer." Computer-operated cars would eventually reshape car design, he says, as things like windshields - "a large and vulnerable piece of glass" - become less necessary. Drivers will be able to sit wherever they'd like in their cars, which could make car interiors more like mobile lounges than like cockpits. The age required to operate a driverless car is likely to drop, he says. There could be an impact on the legal drinking age, as well, as preventing drunk driving was one of the prime justifications for the US-wide setting minimum age to purchase alcohol at 21 years old. There's other possible economic fallout, McLaughlin contends, such as a restructuring of the auto insurance industry, the obsolescence of taxi drivers and lower ratings for drive-time radio programmes. The high-tech security state will also get boost, he writes, as GPS-tagged cars will be easier to track, making life difficult for fugitives and car thieves. Police will also be able to move resources away from operations like traffic enforcement. Of course, he writes, the towns that rely on speed traps to fund their government services will be facing budget shortfalls. Privacy advocates could also get an unexpected boost, he notes, since traffic stops are one of the main justifications for police vehicle searches. Finally, there's the prospect of the as-yet-unrealised futurist dream of flying cars. With computer-controlled vehicles that strictly follow traffic rules, McLaughlin says, "the potential for three-dimensional roads becomes a lot less scary and more a matter of simply solving the technological challenge". Where we're going, we may not need roads after all. |
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#241 | |
Sometimes it's black and white
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: California
Casino cash: $2844900
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Quote:
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Sometimes. |
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Posts: 6,367
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#242 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2019
Casino cash: $1360340
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Posts: 11,321
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#243 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
Casino cash: $1684284
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Every rental car I've driven for the past few years does this. It's annoying. But then I figured I should be signaling anyway, so I just gave in.
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Posts: 27,435
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#244 | |
Supporter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ozarks
Casino cash: $2010564
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I used to say, up in New England/Boston that nobody uses turn signals because they would giving away their intentions. They are just crazy aggressive drivers. |
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#245 | |
best in the biz
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Under Pressure
Casino cash: $1285273
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Too many lazy drivers. |
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#246 | |
Supporter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ozarks
Casino cash: $2010564
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I have been thinking about those Boston drivers off and on today since my post as it used to be a real issue to deal with about one or two weeks a year . Up there, it is competitive driving so to speak. If you can advance one spot in traffic by not letting the rest know what you are doing, it is a win! Surprise attack! Maybe this driver assist was designed with them in mind? |
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#247 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
Casino cash: $1684284
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I go the other way in normal LA commuter traffic (idiot weekend traffic is a whole different story). I signal when there's a gap and basically force them to be a dick to not let me in. 19 times out of 20 they slow down to let you get in.
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#248 |
Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Spink, SD
Casino cash: $373762
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#249 |
MER
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Colorado
Casino cash: $1600351
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Blinkers are a declaration of intent, not a request for permission.
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"Loving him is red." |
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#250 |
Live free or die hard
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Durango, CO
Casino cash: $1538382
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I've been in 4 accidents in my life (one of them almost took me out) and none of them were remotely my fault and every one of them involved a woman driver. If these things can prevent women from driving I'm all in.
Women are horrible drivers. Nothing anyone will say will convince me otherwise. I'd take a drunk driving man over a sober woman. |
Posts: 26,826
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#251 |
MER
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Colorado
Casino cash: $1600351
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How odd, I've been in none.
Maybe you should have learned defensive driving in L.A. too. We can even swing an Impala across 7 lanes while holding a blunt and a glock.
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"Loving him is red." |
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#252 |
Supporter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Spink, SD
Casino cash: $373762
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#253 |
MER
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Colorado
Casino cash: $1600351
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I have a cute little scar on my hand when i was bitten for shooting left handed.
Now I hold both in my mouth. Way more intimidating.
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"Loving him is red." |
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#254 | |
Live free or die hard
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Durango, CO
Casino cash: $1538382
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Quote:
Hey, I'm not saying all women drivers I'm just saying if shit is going to go wrong behind the wheel there's very good odds it's going to be a woman. Don't judge me until you've had to replace a vehicle or spend time in the hospital with one common denominator as the factor. Woman! ![]() |
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#255 |
MER
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Colorado
Casino cash: $1600351
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I'm really sorry you got hurt, Otter, you know that.
But if you men did your job we wouldn't have to drive and we could just work on pies and blowjobs.
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"Loving him is red." |
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