Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 17:57:44 GMT, Velvet
wrote in message :


I think we're kindof in agreement here. My point was that people aren't
all that likely to be braking as well as ABS would if you apply it
properly - people (myself included) either tend to overbrake (and skid
if no abs) or underbrake (abs or no, they'll not stop as fast as if they
overbraked with abs).


Indeed. That was my point: what ABS is doing is compensating for poor
technique, not helping you "stop quicker".

Whether it compensates for my technique or not is immaterial, in the
same given circumstance, with ABS I will stop quicker, in a shorter
distance, than without ABS.



I don't drive any closer (or further away, it has to be said) than
pre-ABS.


You think. But on average, people do. That's what risk compensation
is about. It's pretty widespread - see Tony's comment re "childproof"
containers above.

If I remembered I actually had ABS more than once a few months then I
might believe I drive closer/faster. But given I don't, I doubt it has
any affect. To be honest, since I've never been in a situation where
tromping the brakes has actually activated the ABS, it seems likely that
I'm not compensating for the percieved increase in safety.


Or read Risk - it's very interesting.

Guy

I'm sure it's fascinating :-)

--


Velvet