>>>*Actually, the most common human reaction when totally surprised is to react with instinct, Margie is right on this one. Instinct can often be exactly the wrong thing to do.
That is why for decades whether it be NASA, Sully Sullivan, NASCAR, professional sports players and all drivers to a degree should practice and, should be in drivers-ed, is to build up through practice, what is goes by a number of names, over learning, muscle memory, the over learning of the procedures to be followed when something goes wrong. The instinct reaction then becomes to follow the procedure you practiced for the occasion.
A few examples to practice in a safe area e.g. large parking lots, etc.
Stops hard enough to activate the ABS system.. Lots of folks get spooked just from the sounds it makes..
Spins on slippery surfaces
Brake failure, stopping with the hand brakes, lower gears.
and course how to kill the engine quickly.
There was a series of articles written in AUTOWEEK about this and a number of journalists have commented about giving their 16 year old kids for their birthday present, a closed circuit, professional driver training course where the above and more activities are practiced.. A lot of the kids commented about after having taken the course that they were much more mindful and respectful of the dangers in driving and thought the course was a great experience for them.
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My overall contention is that as cars have become much, much safer, it seems human instinct has become to assume they are infallible.. There have been a number of articles published in car magazines and other auto enthusiast water holes contending that has cars have become safer, a lot of people are taking more chances with borderline reckless driving on the premise that my car will protect me. They are still deadly machines when certain things go wrong.
In today's world with cell phones, mp3 players ,sometimes even with books and newspapers, some folks consider driving a part time activity, while engaged in more "important" activites.
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