Q: Bruce Farly is correct that GMC sends conflicting messages in its hands-free driving commercials on TV, where the driver and front-seat passenger are clapping in sync with music.
They also show a truck passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway, a truck towing an RV trailer, and a truck on a narrow bridge, implying that the vehicle can do these things in assisted-driving mode. This is misleading at best and should be taken off the air
But is it any more misleading than other automobile ads that show vehicles being driven in irresponsible ways, like sliding around corners, jumping off sand dunes, doing burnouts, and other stunts? Come on auto advertising industry. Quit trying to outdo each other with irresponsible stunts.
Mike Harrigan, San Jose
A: The worst perhaps was a Toyota commercial of a speeding woman driver. It was removed after many complaints nationwide.
Q: Lots of promotion of “hands-free driving.” Bad business! The driver’s job requires full attention to the road. Anything that reduces the driver’s attention is trouble. Do smart cars allow dumb drivers?
Andy Lundberg, Livermore
A: Some would say so.
Q: I can explain why GM’s “hands free” driving feature allows the driver to have their hands off the steering wheel when the system is engaged, while Tesla auto pilot requires that the driver have his/her hand on the steering wheel to keep it engaged.
Tesla designed its auto pilot system to sense the weight of a driver’s hand on the wheel, while GM’s system uses a camera to confirm that a human is behind the wheel, or it will disengage the feature.
GM’s self-driving system is far better than Tesla’s because Tesla depends on sensors that are easily fooled and would require recalling every Tesla equipped with auto pilot to install cameras to cure its deficiencies.
Darrell Benner, Fremont
A: Interesting to know these details. I see advantages and disadvantages to both systems.
Q: Kudos to Caltrans for removing piles of dirt, asphalt and wood at Interstate 280 and Alpine Road. Illegal dumps like this are proliferating everywhere, and they are not benign.
Stormwater runoff from this particular site goes directly into San Francisquito Creek, a steelhead spawning stream.
“Midnight dumping” scofflaws who try to avoid dump fees at sanitary landfills are hard to catch, unless the CHP happens to be driving by. We urge Caltrans to install surveillance cameras and prosecute the miscreants.”
Lennie Roberts, Green Foothills
A: This is not a minor problem. Caltrans is spending more for cleanup efforts, including paying volunteers up to $250 per month to keep areas clean. I wish there were more effective prevention practices.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Source: www.mercurynews.com