I guess I’m just an old-fashioned old crone, but commercials like GMC’s latest evoke all kinds of negative responses from me. Please don’t brag about and show off “hands-free” driving capabilities! (That’s GMC and other manufacturers who do the same thing.) Don’t show a guy driving down the highway in a monster pickup taking his hands off the wheel to clap to “We Will Rock You.” And don’t make it worse with shots of that pickup hauling a big Airstream. Or passing another truck. Or doing it with the wife and kids on board. Or crossing a long, narrow bridge.
I’m only just accepting that decent, desirable cars out there can be all-electric, even though I still think their limited range and limited number of charging stations make them problematic. But the idea that there are people driving no-hands at highway speeds makes me cringe. It flat out scares me. I don’t want to do that or be on the road with people who do. And the idea that ads now promote such capability/behavior strikes me as extremely premature and dangerous. Don’t encourage people to do this!
That’s it. That’s all. I’ve been slow to accept a lot of new technology (online banking and bill paying are examples), but I’m guessing I won’t live long enough to be comfortable with hand-free driving.
I’m with you, although I haven’t seen the advert, a large manufacturer showing someone driving without hold the wheel is totally irresponsible. 🙁
Thank you. Good to know I’m not the only one.
johnthecook…You are absolutely correct. Self-driving cars, and now even 18-wheel big rigs are on the Highways, sometimes WITHOUT a real live person in the driver’s seat, SCARRY at best. Even with a real live person in the driver’s seat there has been one fatality in Phoenix AZ, and more are sure to happen. Ghost breaking is being reported on New Tesla model vehicles that have hand’s free capabilities and they don’t know why it’s happening. These are preventable disasters waiting to happen. The Ambulance chasing Lawyers are revving up their engines now in anticipation of the Lawsuits that are sure to come.
I’ve read about all those incidents and they are unnerving at best. Knowing they recently tested a driverless semi on the interstate going through Denver (with its truly awful traffic) verges on horrifying. Relieved to see a younger person agreeing. Thanks for that!
johnthecook…Younger? Thank you for being so kind. I celebrated my 71st Birthday last year.
Ah, I thought you were still working. Nevertheless, I’m 78, so you’re still younger!
In this day and age, I’ve seen such horrible driving that I’m thinking the vehicle will often be a better driver than the person behind the wheel.
Could be. I’m ready to call Denver the hit-and-run capital of the US.
I’ll clap along to your observation.
Thank you, sir. Much appreciated.
I’m not confident yet, with self driving cars
Pretty sure I never will be. It’s going to take a lot of convincing.
I love my electric car but I’ll never drive hands-free.
I was thinking about you and your electic car as I was writing. My son wants to get a Tesla, but I’d better not ever hear of him driving hands-free.
Actually, ever since I was 14 I have enjoyed driving. I don’t think I’m alone in that. Maybe it’s more of a male thing, but there’s a sense of control about it that is appealing. That said, there’s no doubt that computers and AI are getting better all the time. They are much less error-prone than humans and are reliable enough to direct missiles and land rockets on floating platforms. I can see a future where the option will always exist.
Oh no, the love of driving is definitely not just a male thing! I’ve always loved driving, beautiful cars, etc. Still do, if it’s not in heavy traffic and not too far. Why would I give that up to a computer? No doubt it’s coming in the not-as-distant-as-I’d-like future, but I won’t participate.
Good to know, me too. The new safety innovations like lane warnings, cameras and drowsiness alarms innovations will help. : )
I love the new safety innovations and if my car weren’t fully paid for, would be sorely tempted to buy a new one to get them all, especially the emergency braking thing. It’s been argued that self-driving cars will give us seniors continued independence, but I’m not planning on it.
Those big trucks scare me in any case.
Me too. I stay as far away from them as I can when I’m driving.
i love to drive, but you couldn’t get me into a car that’s gonna drive me no how! just one more step closer to roboville. continue…
I love to drive too, once outside city traffic. Might as well take a bus as have a self-driving car.
Just came across my post about the driverless truck. It was back in 2016!