Driving

[COcheesehead]

I use the brights 100% of the time except when a car is approaching, or perhaps when it's foggy and all the brights do is reflect and glare. But that's very rare.

I have the auto brights. They go and dim automatically. Something I didn’t think I would like, but now find it very valuable.

 

[Koolau]

I use the brights 100% of the time except when a car is approaching, or perhaps when it's foggy and all the brights do is reflect and glare. But that's very rare.

Two things I don't need in Honolulu: Brights and Cruise Control. Can't recall the last time I used either one in the Islands but YMMV.

 

[frank2009]

Just did a 3 hour round trip drive. I'm 66 y.o. No problems but then again I didn't set any land speed records either.

 

[youbet]

I have mixed feelings about these driver assist features. I have used them but have now turned them off or don't use most of them anymore. I still have alerts on but nothing "active", like auto braking, lane departure, etc. I've had the auto braking activate a few times when there was no need and lane departure is only about 90% accurate. Anyway, I found I wasn't paying as much attention to my driving as I should. But that's me.

I tend to agree with this. My main driver is a 26 year old F-150 with few amenities. Crank windows, no cruise control, 5-speed manual transmission, V8, no carpet, no driver assist features, etc. DW has a newer Prius with driver assist features which I drive frequently. There's no doubt I'm more personally engaged and always keenly aware of what's going on around me when I'm driving the truck. It seems like when the Prius is driving me around, I have to make some conscious effort to not drift into a level of counting on the driver assist systems to take care of some things for me.

 

[Koolau]

It seems like when the Prius is driving me around, I have to make some conscious effort to not drift into a level of counting on the driver assist systems to take care of some things for me.

I wondered about that. When I was going back and forth between a couple of previous cars (her newer Caravan and my old Mazda) just getting used to crank windows (my car) vs electric windows (her car) was a significant issue to me. (My 5 speed and her auto trans were even bigger issues to adjust to every few days).

I'm guessing it's easy to get used to driver-assist features - not so easy to go back to the more manual control of an older vehicle. YMMV

 

[Music Lover]

Two things I don't need in Honolulu: Brights and Cruise Control. Can't recall the last time I used either one in the Islands but YMMV.

It doesn't get dark in Honolulu?

Brights provide more light and at a greater distance. There's no good reason not to use them.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

Do you sometimes feel your reflexes are preventing you from driving safely? Sometimes I feel anxious driving. I feel I am safe but worry about others around me, When do you know it is time to stop drving? Waiting for an accident is not a good plan. Have you worried about your driving skills?

It is great you have such self awareness and concern for others. Most people need a SWAT team to take away a license.

I knew my father should no longer drive when I observed him entering driveway exits and committing other traffic infractions. I brought him to a doctor who wrote to the state where he lived, It was a tough situation, before Uber.

 

[AudiDudi]

I wondered about that. When I was going back and forth between a couple of previous cars (her newer Caravan and my old Mazda) just getting used to crank windows (my car) vs electric windows (her car) was a significant issue to me. (My 5 speed and her auto trans were even bigger issues to adjust to every few days).

I'm guessing it's easy to get used to driver-assist features - not so easy to go back to the more manual control of an older vehicle. YMMV

Most of the time I'm driving a manual 5 or 6 spd. When I get into an automatic, I am constantly reaching for the clutch and the shifter I read some time ago that something like only 7% of cars now come with a manual and less than 20% of people can drive one

 

[Koolau]

It doesn't get dark in Honolulu?

Brights provide more light and at a greater distance. There's no good reason not to use them.

Actually, there is a good reason not to use brights. There is ALWYAS someone coming from the opposite direction.

 

[Koolau]

Most of the time I'm driving a manual 5 or 6 spd. When I get into an automatic, I am constantly reaching for the clutch and the shifter I read some time ago that something like only 7% of cars now come with a manual and less than 20% of people can drive one

I miss rowing a 5 speed, but Honolulu traffic is a bad place to drive a stick.

 

[AudiDudi]

I miss rowing a 5 speed, but Honolulu traffic is a bad place to drive a stick.

I have only driven there once for a few days about 15 yrs ago and was glad the rental had an automatic. Stop and go is no fun with a clutch.

 

[gamboolman]

Soon be 66 and I am more cautious and not as aggressive as I was as a young man.
ms gamboolgal has never liked driving and only does so if absolutely necessary.

 

[Music Lover]

Actually, there is a good reason not to use brights. There is ALWYAS someone coming from the opposite direction.

Obviously if there's someone coming then you shouldn't use the brights. My comment was that I use the brights except when there was oncoming traffic.

 

[Koolau]

Obviously if there's someone coming then you shouldn't use the brights. My comment was that I use the brights except when there was oncoming traffic.

Glad we settled that.

 

[audreyh1]

Not yet. I pay serious attention even though my car is driving most of the time.

 

[aja8888]

Got to SIL's house in Cary NC yesterday afternoon. Finished 3 days of driving 99% highway @ 70 - 80 MPH. Did 1800 miles total.

 

[youbet]

It doesn't get dark in Honolulu?

Brights provide more light and at a greater distance. There's no good reason not to use them.

The good reason for not using them is when there are oncoming cars. I live in an urban area and am frequently irked by the number of dumb-butt drivers who drive around with their brights constantly on blinding others.

So, yes, when your brights are not in anyone else's eyes, they're a great thing. But, at least around here, there are too many folks who have them on all the time, even in traffic.

 

[Cujet]

Like many I have noticed that my night vision "ain't what it used to be" so I do limit that as much as possible. But otherwise I think I'm doing fine. Two months ago I flew an airplane and did fine with that too.

Today, over lake O