Things We Can Do Without: In the Automobile

Thanks to modern technology, our automobiles are getting more intelligent, more comfortable, and more fuel-efficient.  We have GPS systems, individually warmed and cooled seats, mutiple DVD players to entertain the kids, and even service-on-call systems.  As these new innovations continue, there are some things in the automobile that are becoming obsolete - or at least aren't being used as much by drivers anymore.  As a result, I think car manufacturers can get rid of a few of them to save themselves (and us) a few bucks.  I vote for:

Turning signals.  I can't tell you how many times I see people making turns and changing lanes without bothering to let anybody know what they're doing.  It's bad enough when you're motoring down the highway at 60 and the guy in the lane next to you decides to pull into your lane as you start to pass him.  It's even worse when you're in city traffic and bumper-to-bumper, and a driver in the far left lane suddenly realizes she needs to turn right at the next intersection.  Two minutes, three lanes, and a dozen angry drivers later, she's making her turn and the people in her wake are thanking God they didn't get hit.  If I was supposed to get a dose of ESP when I took my driver's test, I didn't know about it.

Brake lights.  I remember a few years ago when it became mandatory for car manufacturers to put that extra brake light in the rear window of new cars.  It was a novelty.  Well, the novelty has worn off.  Besides, without any working bulbs in those devices, they're pretty much useless.  I can't look at the back side of a car and tell if his brakes are on, or if his car lights are on, or if he's stopping and his lights are out.  And that's only if the car is clean!

Low beams.  Why do we need both low beams and high beams?  It seems that many folks on the road today only use either one setting or the other.  Unfortunately for me, it seems the ones using the high beams are driving directly behind me at night, splashing my silhouette on the roof of my car and blinding me with their halogen headlights.  All I can do is move my rear-view mirror and wait for the afterglow to fade.  Which brings me to my next suggestion.

Rear- and side-view mirrors.  Those mirrors are there to check your driving field before major directional changes, like changing lanes and making turns.  The only time I see people using the rearview mirror is the lady putting on her makeup, or the guy knotting his tie.  And side-view mirrors?  I see so many busted mirrors hanging by a thread (or not at all) or with glass shattered that they're obviously going the way of the hood ornament.  After all, if you're supposed to use them, wouldn't you repair them when they break?

Seat belts and infant car seats.  With all the airbags that are being installed in new vehicles, you'd think they'd get rid of these things.  Parents certainly agree with that one.  I can't tell you how many times I've seen a parent of either sex driving down the road with kids bouncing around in, on, and all over the back seat.  Then there's Daddy driving, Mommy riding in the passenger seat, and Baby sitting happily in Mommy's lap.  Let's pray nothing happens where they need that airbag.  Baby may need some serious plastic surgery, if she survives being crushed between the airbag and Mommy's body.  And I won't even talk about kids riding in the beds of pickup trucks.

Car manufacturers spend millions of dollars conducting surveys and taking polls to find out what people want and need in their personal transportation.  I think they could save a few bucks by watching people's driving habits and start removing the items that they don't use.  So what if it decreases safety?  Driving is one of the Great American pasttimes.  Stop riding our butts and let us have a little fun!  Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to call my insurance agent and up my coverage before the rates increase.