I moved the posts above to a new thread, titled "More Stuff on Cars & Driving" (a Carlin qoute).
Myself I am a keen motorist and I do have a basic understanding of how my car works. I can fix most things on my own and I do not need an assistance service to change a wheel.... I think I am a calm, reasonable, cooperative driver.
Much like Andre27 I have my driver's license for 5 years now.
The problem with driving is, that most people say about themselves "I am at least a good driver" but they are not. "Well, I haven't had an accident ever!" Yeah, because other people prevented those.
If I think about the last few hundred kilometers that I went by car, I remember three situations where I completly screwed up. It happens, but one should be able to reflect what one does to not make the same mistake again or to be more careful next time. Most drivers do not care. It either happened, then the other guy was the driver screwing up, or they do not even notice it.
Of course there are situations where I just think "WHY? Why are trying to turn on a busy main road with two lanes each direction plus tramway tracks and blocking the whole traffic?"
"Why did you have to buy an oversize SUV, but you cannot even grasp the proportions of your car so now you are trying to fit into a way to small parking space - and blocking all the traffic in that street."
But, from personal experience, I can tell you: it can be worse. Just add someone who needs to get somewhere right now - like an ambulance.
It also seems, that people tend to get used to technology way too much. Anti-lock braking systems are basically standard, which is good. ESP however, seems to make drivers think they can switch off physics and bring they cars to the limit. Then, the hundreds of little helpers that are there to make the life of a motorist easier:
GPS Navigation System, buildt-in computer with instant internet access, parking assistant (What the frak?), a camera for driving backwards (so you don't have to turn your head anymore
), rain sensor for switching on the wipers, "comfort indicators".... but at the same time the interior design of the cars is getting more and more impractical. Ever tried to get something larger than a suitcase into a newer BMW?
Of course, there are safety features which are not mandatory, if you ask me. Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Airbags, fog lights, full spare wheel (not the ones you can only use to get to the next mechanic), first aid kit, stuff to secure accident sites have to absolutely be there.
The rest is just luxury distracting from the first and foremost task of a car: getting from point A to point B.