Electric handbrakes said it would happen!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by 9D280

...until you pile the car into whatever is in front. If you have a top of the range car you will also loose your stability control, so will probably end up smacking it side on as well, coz you're so used to the car taking care of the physics...

Some people might. On the other hand some people know how to drive properly - not many though I admit!!!

All these fancy aids can actually have a negative effect. There has been much research done by insurance companies in places like Austria and Switzerland where they have seen accident INCREASE with the advent of ABS - 4wd and traction control. The drivers seem to think they can drive the same as they can on tarmac.

ABS in snow is scary - you don't skid - but you certainly don't stop either.

Good tryes are far more important.

[mdt]

Originally Posted by codprawn

All these fancy aids can actually have a negative effect. There has been much research done by insurance companies in places like Austria and Switzerland where they have seen accident INCREASE with the advent of ABS - 4wd and traction control. The drivers seem to think they can drive the same as they can on tarmac.

if you read the manual that comes with an audi with quattro fitted, it keeps saying that it dose nothing to help you stop any quicker... about 12 times.

[willk]

Originally Posted by mdt

if you read the manual that comes with an audi with quattro fitted, it keeps saying that it dose nothing to help you stop any quicker... about 12 times.

oooh yes! and I can personally confirm that the quattro's ESP is the first button knocked off when the snow arrives. Nice going up the hills, lethal going down. The system just refuses to brake and you cruise on down, no braking at all! In fairness, they do warn you about it in the manual.

[willk]

...and it looks like another one perhaps?:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/w...st/8211256.stm

a generally busy day in Wales otherwise:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/w...st/8213161.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8215364.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/w...d_/8214804.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8210780.stm

...and you switched our free TV off

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by willk

...and it looks like another one perhaps?:

Maybe...in Port Issac, Cornwall, some time ago, a lady got out of her old battered RR on the steep hill in the village. Three kids were in the back. Several of us were watching, as you do when people park in stupid places.

As she got out off the RR set off down the hill

If it wasn't for the quick thinking of many holidaymakers - how many people does it take to stop a runaway RR , one of whom jumped in and hit the footbrake - there could have been some 'damage'.

The lady had simply forgot to put the handbrake on. There was nothing wrong with the RR

[9D280]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Some people might. On the other hand some people know how to drive properly - not many though I admit!!!

Agreed. The silly thing is that ABS only kicks in when it detects wheel lock. So if you can drive "properly" & don't lock the wheels in the first place........

As fopr slippy conditions & snow there comes a point where no amout of electronics will stop you - the laws of Physics tend to win! Admittedly your electrionic stabiliy programme might at least keep the car aimed forwards so your airbags do something vagely useful.....