> If a 3500lb vehicle can't decide what it is about to impact, it needs to slow down (to a stop if necessary).
Well, also, any of those categories should trigger braking themselves. You can't hit vehicles or bicycles. You can't hit "other" either. If you plan to hit something, it needs to be a piece of paper or some such. As a_t48 points out, classification is not needed to avoid objects, so being confused about what the object is is totally irrelevant.
This, whether it's a speed bump, trash, tire tread, tow hitch, bicycle, animal, or person in the road, it does significantly more damage at 35mph than it does at the reasonable decrease to 25mph.
Basically, absent vehicles behind you and to each side, a driver should stop until the object can be identified and determined if it will do damage or be avoided.
Well, also, any of those categories should trigger braking themselves. You can't hit vehicles or bicycles. You can't hit "other" either. If you plan to hit something, it needs to be a piece of paper or some such. As a_t48 points out, classification is not needed to avoid objects, so being confused about what the object is is totally irrelevant.