ARE you a cruise-control driver? I used to be, but it nearly killed me one day in the southern highlands.

We had a lot of calls to my 2CC radio program about this last week.

There are those who swear by the cruise control to simplify their driving. I was surprised to learn that many of my listeners actually use it whenever they’re driving, even in the 50km/h suburban streets of Canberra.

Geoff told me that cruise control is the only thing that stops him from getting multiple speeding fines.

Frank had a similar story about his constant travels in country NSW.

“I’d go insane if I had to sit there monitoring my speed all day,” he said.

Isn’t that what you do when you’re in charge of a motor vehicle?

My cruise control incident happened in 2002. I had just taken my foot off the pedals and stretched my legs a little somewhere between Marulan and Sutton Forrest. I’d like to think I was concentrating, but it took me by surprise when the cars in front braked suddenly because of an earlier accident on the side of the road. I rushed to brake and instead put my foot on the accelerator.

I went so close to running up the back of the semi-trailer. I had to steer up on to the shoulder of the road to avoid it.

That was the last day I ever activated cruise control.

I know that technology has improved dramatically in the last 10 years to the point that some of the advanced cruise-control systems can virtually steer the car for you.

I’m not interested. I will never be convinced of the merits of letting the car do the driving for me.

And why do you think they paint those heavy, thick white lines on the Federal Highway in the lead up to the first Watson roundabout?

They’re supposed to wake you up in case you’ve drifted off on cruise control on the drive from Sydney. Doesn’t sound safe to me.

Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC