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From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Speed limiters
Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2024 02:08:18 -0700
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On 7/7/2024 1:55 AM, Jeff Layman wrote:
> On 06/07/2024 22:38, Don Y wrote:
>> On 7/6/2024 10:21 AM, Jeroen Belleman wrote:
>>> On 7/6/24 18:59, Don Y wrote:
>>>> [....]
>>>> Most US cars won't allow the cruise control to be set below, e.g., 40MPH.
>>>> I think the reasoning is that you should be actively controling the
>>>> vehicle in those settings where regulators have decided the speed limit
>>>> should be low.
>>>> [...]
>>>
>>> That's just where cruise control is useful! In cars with automatic
>>> gearboxes, it's not easy to maintain constant speed without keeping
>>> an eye on the speed dial all the time, while you should be watching
>>> the road instead!
>>>
>>> With manual gear boxes, it's much easier.
>>
>> I suspect cruise control is to avoid becoming "velocitized"; drifting
>> into a less aware state due to the monotony of highway driving.
>> (anyone who has drive across Kansas would understand)
> 
> We don't get much chance to use cruise control in the UK, as the roads aren't 
> long enough and are too busy. I did use it when driving in Canada from Edmonton 
> to Jasper a few years ago. Now that's a boring drive - endless miles of high 
> trees either side of the road.

Kansas/Nebraska is similar -- except wheat/corn.  I would joke that you
couldn't STOP along the way for fear you might get back on the road going
the WRONG way and not discover it for a few hundred miles (WTF?  I'm back
in Missouri???)

> It was very tempting to tip the driver's seat 
> back, put my feet up on the dash, and have a sleep for a couple of hours! I 
> found using the cruise control the opposite of what you suggest; I didn't even 
> need have to make minor adjustments with the pressure of my foot on the gas pedal.

When using the cruise control, I adjust my speed using its controls on the
steering wheel -- ACCEL and DECEL.  But, without it, it is too easy to get
thinking that you aren't going as fast as you are and you end up creeping
up in speed.  The control takes that temptation away from you.

(I've done the coast-to-coast trip several times -- along with several
subsets thereof.  Sitting behind the wheel for 10, 20, 40 hours is
a mind-numbing experience!)