Drink Driving
Wednesday 3rd January, 2007 15:29 Comments: 5
Toyota is developing a system which will, in the event of excess consumption on the part of the driver, stop the vehicle. According to Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, the system won't start if sweat sensors incorporated into the steering wheel detect an over-the-limit level of blood alcohol. It may also slow the car to a halt if sensors pick up erratic steering, or even if a camera spies unfocused pupils.
I'm guessing those sweat sensors in the steering wheel and the camera are fooled by the driver wearing gloves and a pair of sunglasses (assuming it can even see the unfocused pupil in the dark). Will the UK models have the level set accordingly? What happens if/when the law changes? What happens if you've not been drinking, but you accidentally spilled beer over your hand on the way out and didn't dry it properly? Wouldn't this system simply stop people with new cars from drink driving? What's to stop someone drink driving using an old car, one that doesn't have ABS, traction control, airbags or other measures that actually protect people and can help prevent crashes?
I'm also guessing Japan doesn't have traffic calming measures that occasionally force you to weave around the road/steer erratically. Perhaps UK models will also be restricted to 70mph too, seeing as that's the law (although they appear to be more concerned with the level of alcohol in your sweat, and presumably won't stop your Toyota from reaching 120mph on the M1). Perhaps the new system could automatically contact the police and inform them that the driver was speeding, passing on your number plate at the same time, to make sure you get a fine.
Knowing Fab's reputation as a bad driver, perhaps he should avoid buying a Toyota, unless he's happy to drive everywhere at walking speed.
I'm guessing those sweat sensors in the steering wheel and the camera are fooled by the driver wearing gloves and a pair of sunglasses (assuming it can even see the unfocused pupil in the dark). Will the UK models have the level set accordingly? What happens if/when the law changes? What happens if you've not been drinking, but you accidentally spilled beer over your hand on the way out and didn't dry it properly? Wouldn't this system simply stop people with new cars from drink driving? What's to stop someone drink driving using an old car, one that doesn't have ABS, traction control, airbags or other measures that actually protect people and can help prevent crashes?
I'm also guessing Japan doesn't have traffic calming measures that occasionally force you to weave around the road/steer erratically. Perhaps UK models will also be restricted to 70mph too, seeing as that's the law (although they appear to be more concerned with the level of alcohol in your sweat, and presumably won't stop your Toyota from reaching 120mph on the M1). Perhaps the new system could automatically contact the police and inform them that the driver was speeding, passing on your number plate at the same time, to make sure you get a fine.
Knowing Fab's reputation as a bad driver, perhaps he should avoid buying a Toyota, unless he's happy to drive everywhere at walking speed.
Fab - Wednesday 3rd January, 2007 15:53 Ha you deliberately stuck that there to goad me! I wouldn't want to buy a Toyota anyway as I don't like the handling or standard car performance. I also wish to point out that just about anyone who accuses me of bad driving actually drives faster than me!
PS stopping a drink driver in the middle of the road could potentially be a bad idea, especially if they are on the motorway!
PS stopping a drink driver in the middle of the road could potentially be a bad idea, especially if they are on the motorway!
Maybe :)
I'm hoping it'll stop the driver before they make it onto the motorway, preferably before they've even left the car park.
I've never driven a Toyota (just a couple of VW models, three Ford models, a couple of Honda Civics, a Nissan Primera, Rover 216 and probably something else), but they don't look too bad. Amy drove a fairly new Corolla and seemed to like it.
I'm hoping it'll stop the driver before they make it onto the motorway, preferably before they've even left the car park.
I've never driven a Toyota (just a couple of VW models, three Ford models, a couple of Honda Civics, a Nissan Primera, Rover 216 and probably something else), but they don't look too bad. Amy drove a fairly new Corolla and seemed to like it.
They are very reliable and people do like them. I have driven everything you have listed apart from a Corolla and a Rover and I do tend to find that I like the 'feel' of a VW backed car. Not so keen on the Vauxhalls I have driven either, but then even my Fiat Punto felt a lot nicer to drive than those! I guess it is a case of what you are used to and prefer.
I forgot that I test drove a Vauxhall Cavalier (I think) once, I seem to recall it had a 1.6l engine, but it felt a lot less powerful than the Rover 216 I'd briefly had, and was no better (if not worse) than the Honda Civic 1.4i that I bought.
I think some people don't know any better, and are happy with their slow (as in acceleration) cars. Sadly, I get stuck behind them, unless I make a conscious effort to accelerate very slowly. I only have a 1.8 litre engine in my Mondeo, but it's still quite nippy.
I think some people don't know any better, and are happy with their slow (as in acceleration) cars. Sadly, I get stuck behind them, unless I make a conscious effort to accelerate very slowly. I only have a 1.8 litre engine in my Mondeo, but it's still quite nippy.
1.8 is pretty good on many fronts. My car has the biggest engine in the standard Skoda range (2.0L) but it is not the fastest. That goes to the 1.8 turbo models. Bigger is not necessarily better although it certainly beats a 1.6. Jeremy Clarkson is pretty scathing about American cars because they have huge engines with lots of horses, but still can't really outperform the European equivalents. I would love to be able to try the new Merc S class that has the anti crash system and night enhancement system, see if it works for me.