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news
mercedes benz-usa tweet.PNG"I look forward to being murdered with one of these": Cyclists condemn "distracting" Mercedes in-car technology
A tweet from Mercedes-Benz USA advertising the in-car technology in its S-Class range has caused uproar on the social media platform, with numerous people suggesting that the potential for distraction could put cyclists and pedestrians in danger.
The tweet, that has now been deleted by the Mercedes-Benz USA account, said: "With up to five screens, OLED displays, and 3D displays with real-time eye tracking, the new S-Class has no shortage of bright ideas"; however thousands of people were quick to point out the potential issues, with Pompey Cyclist saying: I look forward to being murdered with one of these in the near future."
Dr Anna added: "I just see dead pedestrians and cyclists. Mercedes sees money."
At this point you might as well get a gun and just shoot every tenth cyclist and pedestrian right in the head https://t.co/nbzwzpnhiA
— Hannah 🚲 (@theeyecollector) May 19, 2021
Ok
but all bicycles have chainsaws now
I don’t make the rules pic.twitter.com/O8APkxEsn5— 🟣 Glendon Mellow (@FlyingTrilobite) May 19, 2021
It's long been suggested that in-car technology such as touchscreens could be leading to more distracted driving; A 2020 study by the UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that in-vehicle 'infotainment systems' impair a driver's reaction times behind the wheel 'more than alcohol and cannabis use' according to the results.
While Mercedes' example of in-car technology appears to be a particular cause for concern, other companies are trying to put tech to good use in an effort to increase safety for cyclists. Back in January, a proposed bicycle-to-vehicle communication standard backed by Trek, Specialized, Bosch and Ford was said to have reached a "critical milestone", with Ford's vice president Chuck Gray calling on more business leaders to join the initiative to advance the technology and set a definitive standard.
Still, opponents argue that the technology could increase danger for cyclists, as drivers could start putting too much trust in technology that may not be failsafe.
Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story).
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47 comments
The driving position appears more like a van than a car. Also if that is all lit up at night when you are trying to drive you will probably be upset.
Not a good look for Mercedes.
Is there a good look for Mercedes at all??
Wrapped around a tree?
Nah, littering.....
It's understandable that holding your mobile phone driving carries a steep penalty but what doesn't make sense is this move to remove buttons and put features into touch screen displays. I was watching a review of the new VW ID3 which is their mass market electric vehicle and there's no controls for the fans or heating, instead drivers have to navigate a central touchscreen instead. I know they're not the first to do it but it seems complete madness from a safety point of view.
I'm feeling old now because I'm more keen to keep a hold of my older car than get a newer one, it's still well featured but it has physical controls for everything which are logically laid out and with distinct shapes so they're easily adjusted when driving and the main dash is simple focused on the speed and revs.
I've got a new VW Golf without the buttons and to be honest there is nothing on that screen that needs to be touched whilst driving,You can adjust the heating and choose a radio station with voice control or the buttons on the steering wheel without taking your eyes off the road.One option i paid for that i think should be standard on all new cars is Head up display the speed limit/your speed and road signs etc are displayed on the windscreen.It was more distracting in my old car just looking down to check the speed.
The great thing is, with so many blinkenlights to distract them, motorists will never know they hit you, saving money on expensive therapy sessions.
Way to go for destroying night vision.....
Who cares, if you light up the road like a mountain biker?
Not surprisingly, It seems Mercedes have deleted their original tweet.
I wonder if a case of contributory negligence would succeed against Mercedes? It should.
We victims should rise up and demand that the law-makers ban such idiotic distractions, unless all driver defence systems, seat belts, air bags etc, are disabled, so that they feel as vulnerable as us.
I had a Saab in the 90s that had a 'night dash' button which switched off the lights on every dial other than the speedo and even that was only illuminated up to 80. It was fantastic, zero distractions. If you needed to know something, such as low fuel, that would light up too. That's exactly how these soft displays should work all the time.
Yep. I miss my Saabs
I am still driving a 2004 9-3 and love it to bits.
Unfortunately it is going down the classic Saab route of wearing out in small pieces. The dashboard knob that controls what is displayed is ... unpredictable, at best, the passenger side electric window and central locking sensor have completely given up the ghost, and the driver side rear passenger door sensor sometimes works and sometimes doesn't ... etc.
Sigh.
I drive a Saab 9-3 that has the night time dash button it is very relaxing when driving along the motorways at night time listening to the radio with no internal light distractions. I still get confused by the heated seat button and the rear window heater which are next door to each other both being useful in the winter. Thoughts of buying a modern car and the need to press screens and menus to select anything I need sends me into shivers of fear.
I used to have a Citroen C6 and it had this button too. Brilliant, it just left the glowing speed in Tron typeface (projected onto the screen!) and practically nothing else. Like the SAAB's, anything important popped up.
I also miss my old Mercs which like many older cars used "theatre-lit" instrument lighting, wherein the instruments are seen by reflected light from shrouded bulbs in front of them. The glow is softer than illuminated dials, and less competitive with the view outside.
That this same manufacturer should be now criticised for complicating the driver's attention, shows the arc Mercedes have taken.
You can demand all you like, but until they're not in the pocket of the party in power, you can whistle dixie
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