There were more than 1,400 autonomous vehicles (AVs) being tested on US roads in 2019, and this figure is expected to increase as more companies step up their game in the self-driving cars market. Self-driving vehicles offer many benefits, including fewer crashes and driver errors, higher levels of autonomy, better fuel economy, and reduced traffic and travel time. However, many people are sceptical of the safety of driverless cars, doubting whether they can really make driving safer.
Risks Of Self-Driving Cars
One of the major issues that affect AVs is the cyber security threat. Vehicles can be hacked and stolen for dubious purposes. In addition, deficiencies in the design of self-driving cars could lead to accidents, causing destruction to property, injuries, and loss of life. When this happens, it can become costly to pay for medical bills and therapies, lost wages, and other unexpected costs. Under the law, victims of traffic crashes can be entitled to compensation.
Legal experts at FVF law firm recommend building a solid case in order to work towards compensation that can help towards recovery. Another concern that affects driverless vehicles is that over reliance on the ability of cars to respond properly to unexpected situations can lead to accidents. If operators are distracted and leave everything to the car, there might not be enough time to react and prevent a collision.
Benefits Of Driverless Cars
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 94% of severe road crashes are attributed to driver error. Human mistakes play a major role in collisions, including drunk driving and distracted driving. With self-driving vehicles, computers using sophisticated systems and algorithms will remove human error, drastically reducing accidents.
The reduction of costly accidents are huge savings for society, decreasing the pressure on the healthcare system. Driverless cars also cut down traffic snarls, improving fuel efficiency, which will, in turn, enhance the quality of air. Because self-driving vehicles can communicate with each other in real time, cars can travel efficiently by determining the best routes and eliminating traffic jams.
People who are not able or do not want to get behind the wheel can still be mobile with driverless cars, making them safe and reliable means of transportation. The elderly and those with mobility issues can improve their quality of life because they can go to doctor’s appointments, buy groceries, or meet with friends when an AV is at their disposal. Rural areas or remote locations not served by public transport can now also be reached by driverless cars.
Self-driving vehicles offer advantages and disadvantages. As technology is constantly updated and improved, people may trust their lives to driverless cars and enjoy the net benefits that they bring, such as improved safety, reduced congestion, lower pollution, and expanded mobility options.
