Ford Backup Assist

Crowe wrote:
I am in favor of anything that makes rv ing easier and safer.

But does it? I think it's just the opposite. When you get dependent on an aid of some sort and you can't do it on your own, what happens if the aid malfunctions and you are caught totally off guard and unprepared? As far as I'm concerned the vast majority of these things should be done away with so we concentrate on how to drive. Case in point: http://fusion.net/story/139703/self-parking-car-accident-no-pedestrian-detection/ Mercedes has had similar issues with some of their detection systems.

One of the first things I teach during my firearms safety lectures is to never trust a mechanical safety because it can malfunction. There is NOTHING that beats correct handling of a firearm for safety and I feel likewise for cars.

On the other hand, this feature appears to me that it could actually TEACH a user how to back a trailer. Use the knob and display to aim where you want to back up and watch what the steering wheel does. Don't forget, YOU are in control of the gas and brake pedals the entire time. All it does is steers.