then help me understand how a person goes about having a different opinion without "mucking up civil discussion", because it sounds like you're saying that people should only speak glowingly of all things at all times.
At the same time, you seem to be saying that because of your bad experiences with ACC, which noone has minimalized or disputed, it should be scrapped right now
Amazing the amount of R&D money being spent and technology that's being created to remove even the slightest burden of responsibility from motorists.
All this ACC technology can be rendered meaningless by simply not tailgating people!
This is such a simplistic quote. ACC is not just removing the burden of responsibility, it is helping responsible drivers when in the presence of bad drivers. Also, you make it sound like everyone is tailgating and if they just stop, all will be well... LOL
Everyday single and multiple pileups occur due to inattentive drivers. While I agree there will be malfunctions of any electronics I still think on the whole the number of participants in this type of crash will net lower as more vehicles are equipped with following distance monitoring.
THIS...
I was going north the other night and thought of this very thread. I was on a 2-lane very hilly road, speed limit 80 kph. I was doing 90, as I usually do. I came up on a line of cars doing what I thought was 80. I kicked my truck off cruise and was stuck behind this group for 20 miles as the lead car fluctuated between 80 and 100 kph. I started out with a safe distance as did a few of the others when suddenly, we were bunching up. The car up front sped up and we spread out. Suddenly, we were bunching up again. This accordian effect continued like this for what seemed an eternity. Because it takes a few seconds to realize the car ahead was slowing, especially at night, without brake lights, it was difficult to not creep up on the car ahead. Add more cars, the effect seemed to grow. As a rule, I dont tailgate, but I did on more than one occaision that drive. ACC , working properly would have did the job for me and much better and freed my mind to concentrate on other things to make the drive safer.
Above, Dave referred to it as "following distance monitoring"... a little simpler but possibly a more accurate description of the real benefit of ACC
I will say it again, I wouldnt think I would need it on a bike as I would have disposed of that traffic in short order. I wouldnt mind cruise to give my hand a break once in a while, but I dont really miss it either but , again, that is just my thoughts