4min chapter

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

When the Autopilot Switched Off

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

CHAPTER

Car Safety Devices Can Save Lives

In this case at least it isn't pointless to mandate the use of safety devices. They might tempt us to be a bit more reckless, but they can still save lives. The speed limiter is designed to account for that possibility. Apply gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal and it ignores your input. Sudden hard pressure and it turns itself off. Back in the cockpit of aero flot flight five, nine, three, 13 year old yarner had been gentle at the control wheel. The auto pilot had stayed in charge, just as captain kodrinski had intended.

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