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Re:Automatic emergency braking should become mandatory, feds... by matheusmoreira on Friday June 02, 2023 @09:30AM (#36164798)
Can you elaborate on that? Everything I've read about the ABS technology suggests it always improves steering and almost always reduces braking distance. Exceptions include surfaces like snow and gravel where it actually increases braking distances. If there's more to it than this, I could change my opinion on the matter: might be wise to have the option to disable in some situations.
Re:Automatic emergency braking should become mandatory, feds... by i_am_jl on Friday June 02, 2023 @10:12AM (#36165340)
> might be wise to have the option to disable in some situations

Snow and gravel are the only valid situations where ABS can increase braking distance.

However, disabling ABS is still a really poor idea.

ABS increases braking distance in the snow because it allows the wheels to rotate so they can grip the road. ABS allowing your front wheels to rotate is why you have any marginal ability to steer and brake simultaneously. Without ABS in the snow your front wheels will lock while steering before your rears and you will lose control of the vehicle.

On top of that, disabling ABS usually disables the vehicle's entire suite of driver aids like traction control and stability control which are extremely helpful in snow.

I can't think of any situation, however contrived, where I would willingly disable ABS on a vehicle in snowy conditions... unless you were trying to slide a car around.

Re:Automatic emergency braking should become mandatory, feds... by matheusmoreira on Friday June 02, 2023 @10:43PM (#36173214)
I agree with you. I can't think of any situation I'd want to disable those systems either.
Re:Automatic emergency braking should become mandatory, feds... by AlotOfReading on Friday June 02, 2023 @10:31AM (#36165604)
Also wet conditions, and worn concrete, etc. Worse, the control systems behind ABS systems are not equally effective at all speeds either, and typically have regimes where they introduce significant amounts of yaw oscillation during maneuvers. That's not good for the panicking driver and can result in them being unable to control the vehicle as effectively.

Note that these are all very niche concerns and I think ABS is a fantastic safety feature, but it's still a compromise to improve the averages. This is true of virtually all safety technology.