[cdancette]

For me it's the opposite. I feel like with cruise control on, I'm much more attentive to the road and the surroundings and feel much safer.

It really annoys me when I have to constantly look at the speed to avoid getting above the limit and it is very tiring for long drives.

[flashmob]

Noticed this also, no need to monitor and adjust the speed which is a mundane task (in cruise control traffic conditions). Eyes can be on the road instead.

This is similar to the problem for pilots, who can be distracted by mundane tasks due the complexity of controls in modern aircraft. If these tasks are removed, the pilot can focus on what's more important.

According to NASA " For the most part, crews handle concurrent task demands efficiently, yet crew preoccupation with one task to the detriment of other tasks is one of the more common forms of error in the cockpit."

https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/publications/directline/dl10_distr...

[theluketaylor]

I think growing up in a snowy climate where super precise throttle control is critical to not ending up in ditches plays a huge role in why I zone out when using cruise control. The fine motor skill of throttle control occupies the back of my mind while my conscious thoughts rotate through the mirrors, track other vehicles and watch for obstacles. I can maintain a speed within a couple km/hr for a very long time without needing to glance at the speedo at all.

The moment the back of my mind doesn't have to handle precise throttle control I find my mind wandering and my spacial awareness is shot. I guess maintaining speed is the fidget spinner that keeps me focused on the task of driving.

[greglindahl]

I totally agree with this sentiment -- the only reason I drive a safe speed is that I use cruise control constantly. Then I don't have to think about speed, and I can focus on everything else.

[seanmcdirmid]

Adaptive cruise control is a bit annoying in traffic, as the safety buffer causes cars who don’t care about tailgating to easily move into the gap causing my speed to jolt around a lot (and eventually get stuck behind some slow moving vehicle). It just doesn’t work well in heavy two lane traffic I guess.

[kolpa]

You need a speed limiter, not necessarily cruise control.

[greglindahl]

A speed limiter involves me having to continue to press on a pedal. That's quite different from cruise control.

[dhimes]

Cruise control works fine for this.