I enjoy reading The Oatmeal Newsletter. A recent article, 6 Things I Learned from Riding in a Google Self-Driving Car, particularly tickled me.
“1. Human beings are terrible drivers.
We drink. We doze. We text. In the US, 30,000 people die from automobile accidents every year.”
As a regular pedestrian, I recognize this as irrefutably true. Even in the car, I see it. Recently, the Wife was waiting in the right lane on Holland Avenue in Albany, which was the straight lane. The driver of golden New York license FCW… was in the left turning lane. When the light changed, he blasted the horn and passed us going straight. THEN he went through TWO red lights.
“5. I want this technology to succeed, like…yesterday.”
The writer points to the need for disabled people to be able to get around.
***
Oh, and speaking of cars, I never mentioned that we got a new car last year, a 2014 1/2 Toyota Camry hybrid. The Wife was looking to get a 2011 or 2012 car to replace our 2003 Toyota Avalon, which we got in 2006. When it started stalling out regularly, and the non-regular maintenance costs started to skyrocket, a change became inevitable.
She wanted a hybrid because she drives a lot as an itinerant teacher. However, the recent hybrid models had depreciated so little, there was no real advantage to buying a used vehicle. Plus, the Wife negotiated a good price.
The first thing to get used to is how quiet it is when it starts up. It almost seems as though it’s stalling out when it stops at a traffic light. And it’s the first car we’ve had where one can see the vehicle behind when we park.
We’re getting nearly 40 miles per gallon, which is twice what we were getting from the Avalon.
***
Amy Biancolli hates cars.
The quiet at stop lights is, I think, the hardest thing to get used to about hybrids. Since I moved to New Zealand, I can no longer work out fuel efficiency, so I suppose 40 miles per gallon is good…
It would be wonderful to drive a such car.
1 Mile per gallon = 0.425143707 kilometers per liter. So 40 mpg= 17 kpl.
I’m not sure I would ever get used to a car driving me around. I think I would be doing the “arghh, my teenager is driving- slam the brakes on the passenger floorboard” deal! I also got a newer model car after driving an older model for years and years. Everything is new to us- from the flex fuel capability to the quiet motor. Our mileage is not as good as yours though!
I have so much road fright even though I’ve been driving a two-wheeler for almost two decades. A car would drive me nuts with the worry of running someone over. The traffic’s quite crazy.
The nice thing about cars that drive themselves is that nobody would say you are too old to have a license, – but then they might eventually say the car is too old!!!!!
So it is a robot car or perhaps a drone?
Anyway interesting enough to write about.
I have no car, can’t even drive. I have my bicycle!
Wil, ABCW Team.
Yes, I want this technology to be successful!
Congratulations on your new car.We do not have a car as the traffic is so chaotic and we hardly require a vehicle as taxis are available quite freely.Happy driving.
We are starting to talk about replacing my 2007 Camry. Glad you found a good alternative.
It’s time for such technology, don’t you think?
I won’t trust a self driving car, what if something breaks down? LOL
Apt word for D, Roger.
We all are “driving”. Some are driving us bonkers too 🙂 🙂
But, all the driving can be tough on earth’s resources esp non-renewable fuels like petrol & diesel…
have a wonderful week!
Your wife did the best choice ever ! I also have a Toyota Hybrid ! what an economy in gas ! and it is so silent. I have it now for a year and am extremely happy with it ! Drivers here are even worse, you should have eyes all around your head !
Is that a photo of your car? It looks like it has a personality all of its own!
Happy ABC W!
Janis
GDP
I guess drivers aren’t any better in Albany than they are down here on the border. Congratulations on your new hybrid! Happy ABC Wednesday, my friend!
that’s not OUR car; it’s the hands-free car I hope to get someday.
I was listening to a story about the Google driverless car on the radio yesterday. Interesting concept, but now sure how it will work in practice. My friend has a Prius, and it is strange to be so quiet. That’s just the opposite to modern “muscle” cars that have their sound amplified through the radio. – Margy
I’ve made it this far without learning to drive, and soon I won’t have to!
I like driving, but not in cities, these would be great to pick up on the outskirts and have it drive you to your destination. Happy new car to you.
Great post! Drivers definitely seem to be getting worse.So many do not pay attention to others or the lights. You have to second guess what they will do!
Driverless cars cause me to shudder. I don’t get it all. Why spends tens of thousands of dollars to sit in the driver’s seat of a vehicle you aren’t in control of?
The View from the Top of the Ladder
You need to be so alert for everybody else doing everything else but drive!!! Your new car sounds great.
Ann
I like driving. What I don’t like is others who are driving around me — well some of the time 🙂
Congratulations for the new car! Hybrid is the way to go if one has to drive a lot these days. Ever since returning back to India I haven’t had any interest in driving, perhaps because of the chaotic traffic all around!
Congratulations for the new car! Hybrid is the way to go if one has to drive a lot these days. Ever since returning back to India I haven’t had any interest in driving, perhaps because of the chaotic traffic all around!
Sounds like this is a good buy. It’s time for me to buy a new car too.