Lil4X

The 330's brake assist, anti-locks, and vsc got a good test Saturday evening… Driving on the West Loop in moderate traffic, most of the pack was running about 70-72, when a middle-aged Asian woman in an aging Mazda 323 doing about 30 cuts directly across three lanes, headed for my right passenger door. With an 18-wheeler to my left and nowhere to go, I throw out the anchor.

Instantly the nose dives toward the pavement and the brake pedal begins a soft rattle as the Michelins bite hard. The brake assist has dialed up a max effort braking response and only a slight leftward feint by the tail as I crowd the left lane indicates the vsc has joined the “all hands” evolution. My eyes dart to the mirrors as traffic behind me is also braking hard but still closing rapidly. I ease the brakes slightly to give them room as the little lady swoops in front of me with inches to spare.

She motors on ten miles below minimum freeway speed unconcerned, blissfully unaware that she owes her life to technology. Thank you, Mr. Toyoda.

Overclocker

Scary stuff. You tell a great story and it's always nice when it has a happy ending.

Lexmexico

Good to know the system works. BTW, I put up with that driving style every day in Mexico City, and no Lexus system will prevent the inevitable. You have to be a good driver. Hats off to your good driving

jeffknet

Ah, the middle aged Asian woman


... say no more.... we've all been there

Lil4X

Must also commend the manufacturer of the seats. In the course of the above event despite the best efforts of my nether region, I failed to bite any buttonholes in the leather.

JRB

Perhaps it's a coincidence, but two days ago, I had a green light at an intersection, just after leaving our home. As I approached the intersection, going about 30 mph with no cars in front of me, I happened to look to my left before proceeding through the green light and taking my left turn. Zoooom! An aging Maxima, driven by a middle-aged Asian woman, went right through the red light, just barely missing the hood of my FX45, as I was hitting my brakes hard. Had I not looked and reacted quickly, she would have broad-sided me at about a 50 mph impact, as she didn't even touch her brakes. Scary stuff.

P.S. Please don't take this as a slam against Asian drivers - I realize that the vast majority drive safely, as do the majority of all drivers.

P.S.S. I still haven't driven my wife's two week-old (almost) RX330. Hope to give it a thorough test drive very soon, for sure before we take it in for the 1000 mile check. She is thrilled with the vehicle, and has received numerous comments, all very favorable, from family, friends and co-workers...

xsfo

I'm sorry but this all sounds like DWA.

Did any of you liberally apply the horn too?
They certainly needed to be let known their
transgressions.

JRB

DWA? Do you mean DWI?

Yes, I sounded my horn, but by then she was long gone.

jeffknet

no xsfo means DWA........

smalcom

The only problem with the horn, is that little middle-aged Asian lady would immediately step on the brakes and swerve directly into me (I speak from experience). Here in Sussex County, DE at the shore we have three outlet malls, and many seasoned citizens (like 80's). Talk about mayhem on the road. They try to go from the lane furthest from the turn off to the mall to the turn off in 5 feet. What a mess!

xsfo

Hmm, this recent NY Times article seems pertinent. (Free registration required)

Traffic Tips for Los Angeles Best Taken With a Pinch of Kimchi
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/30/na...=all&position=

JRB: Yes, I meant DWA. I'll leave it to your imagination...

smalcom: aagh! scary!

My peeve is that these people are either completely clueless or
worse, don't give a ***** about anyone else on the road. Argh!

momtari

Yeah,

I was driving to work today when this crazy white dude pulled right in front of me causing me to swerve. These stupid people have to learn how to drive. They thing they own the road. DipsXXts

jeffknet

DWW?