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Nagging doubts raised over helmet safety 6-Apr-2011 At 9:38:47 AM tnd

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On 6/04/2011 nmonteith wrote:
>On 6/04/2011 tnd wrote:
>>You're confusing ABS (braking aid which stops wheels locking under heavy
>>braking) with stability control.
>
>Since James has worked for Holden in automotive safety I doubt he is confused!
>
>
>ABS stops wheels from locking up, so you can then steer (without sliding)
>around the problem. For example a kangaroo jumps in front of your car -
>without ABS you slam on the brakes and your wheels lock up and you slide
>towards the kangaroo - no matter how much wheel turning the car will go
>the same direction (like being on skis). ABS makes the brakes go on and
>off rapidly and stops the aquaplanning of the car - so you can actually
>steer around the object whilst braking.
>
>Stability control brakes independent wheels to straighten a cars trajectory
>when it is spinning/sliding sideways (ie drifting).

I don't know who you think is doing the driving Neil, but I doubt many people would think quick enough to steer when braking at max. The big advantage of ABS is to minimise braking distance (except on gravel roads, where it can increase it). And yes, stability control prevents or minimises lateral movement cause by excessive driver input of steering or power.

Didn't know about James background so perhaps I failed to understand his point as worded.

What really bugs me is this dumbass idea held by some (not James) that introducing safety features in vehicles just makes people think they're invincible and thus does no good. That might be true for a handful of young men if at all.