Safety device missing on transit vans

So?

I remember when ABS was introduced; at the time I was working part time as a shuttle van driver. I (and any other driver that expressed an opinion) preferred the vans *without* ABS, as on patchy ice, the vans *with* ABS WOULD NOT STOP. Just because a vehicle has an electronic "safety" "feature" does not necessarily mean that said feature works well. Some do; some don't.

A better safety feature than any electronic aid is a competent operator. I'd far rather be in a vehicle with a competent operator and no electronic safety "features" than in a vehicle with a minimally competent operator and all the gadgets.

nate

Safety devices.Know why U.S.Military combat trucks have automatic shift transmissions? Because some people don't know how to use a clutch pedal and shift gears.Those trucks are governed down too.The ones I drove wouldn't do over 45 miles per hour. cuhulin

ABS never panned out in the field data.

But, the field data indicates that ESC prevents about 30% of fatalities. By comparison, seat belts prevent 60% of fatalities. But with ESC, it prevents the accident itself, you end up without a scratch on the car.

Good point, anyone living on that planet where you can't have both a competent operator and ESC should choose against ESC.

One of the problems with ABS is driver behaviour. Did you and the others know the difference in how you are suppose to brake with ABS vs without?

yes, no pumping of brakes, just press as hard as you can. the ABS would dump all brake pressure when one of the wheels would hit ice. These were mid-90's Dodge 3/4 ton vans. More than a few of us had some pucker moments when a stop sign that would have been no problem in a vehicle with "normal" brakes disappeared in the rear view mirror... After a while everyone adjusted, but it meant that other traffic got seriously PO'd because we'd be doing 10-15 MPH max whenever there was patchy ice on the streets.

nate

One of the problems with ABS is driver behaviour. Did you and the others know the difference in how you are suppose to brake with ABS vs without?

****** On the ABS system cars I have had, they did not seem to stop sooner, but they stopped straighter. In ice and snow, just get on the brakes with no pumping.

I guess they are okay. Sound like the very devil when they activate.

Missing common sense is the main problem. Now we rely on government to take care us since we are no longer able to take care of ourselves.