Comment by footydude | Hacker News Reader

Comment by footydude | Hacker News Reader

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> But car beeps generally give no clue what they're beeping about.

Can't speak to all vehicles, but my VW ID3 clearly indicates what the issue is on the dashboard.

So if it's the lane-keeping assist it highlights which lane(s) it is monitoring and it provides a written prompt on screen (e.g. "drive in the centre of the lane") if it's not happy.

If the speed limiter is on it shows the current signed speed limit in the dashboard and it flashes that speed limit if I am driving over the speed limit.

If the car believes I am not concentrating on the road and instead interacting too much with the touch-screen it puts a large warning in the middle of the touchscreen to pay attention to the road and prevents me using the infotainment system for a few second.

I'd be surprised if most other modern/new cars didn't also include instrument display feedback like this alongside audible warnings.

You’d be surprised. A family member bought a 2025 utilitarian car (Dacia). It’s the one on the newer platform (Clio 6) so they can implement all the beeping mandated by law.

The car beeps exactly the same way whatever the reason so you can’t tell why. It even beeps when it thinks the speed limit has changed (up or down)… it’s infuriating to drive this car, there is a beep about something every minute or two. You can’t even tell what it’s beeping about.

Luckily there is a shortcut button near the dash that you can press to disable all these idiotic beeps. You have to do it every time you restart the car. It does make it feel like all these beeps are pointless since you can’t tell what they’re about and press the button to disable them all as soon as you start the car anyway…

That does sound pretty poor, surprised it's not mandated that there needs to be an onscreen warning as well, not just an unexplained beep.

For my experience i've found the safety features helpful and don't mind them. I turn off the audible warning but the onscreen warnings are helpful nudges/reminders.

The lane-assist bit I leave on and whilst I do occasionally have to 'wrestle' with the car a little in some scenarios, it doesn't ever feel like I lose control I just have to overcome a little bit more resistance when the system is concerned about me departing the lane inadvertently. For me that's not really a problem, but I do see how others might find it frustrating.

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