Comment by analog31
7 months ago
I lost power steering every day during the winter in my old car, when the engine stalled while coasting through a particular intersection, and I was busy re-starting it and negotiating the turn.
It's amazing how much more reliable cars have gotten. You used to be always on the alert for some critical function to fail spontaneously, and also listening for warning signs.
Is that more or less dangerous than being complacent with a vehicle that 'never goes wrong', then suddenly fails, I wonder?
I'm pretty sure that driving a car that has to be restarted in the middle of an intersection is more dangerous.
Safer than the car that shuts off in the middle of the highway due to a software update?
One other thing I remember is that you were always on the alert for the car in front of you suddenly bricking itself, due to a "hardware update."
I'd look at the accident stats, which I honestly don't know. But my hunch is that the newer cars are safer.