Self-driving cars have been in the news for some time now. One of the dreams of the future, which has now become real, is for cars to drive without any input from human beings. Global car giants like Tesla, Google, and Uber are moving in this direction to have safer roads, less traffic, and more convenience.
However, with these advancements come what they call major issues. So, are self-driving cars just another tech revolution in our lives, or are potential threats yet to happen? Find out more in this article.
Benefits of Self-Driving Cars
- Improved Safety Features
Probably the most powerful and persuasive argument is that self-driving cars are safer than conventional automobiles. As reported by the World Health Organization, about 13 million people die every year in road traffic accidents globally, and more than half of them are the result of human errors resulting from fatigue, distraction, or the effects of drugs like taking too much alcohol.
Self-driving cars are intended to avoid risk factors that cause traffic mishaps, such as distracted, speeding, or reckless driving. These cars are equipped with Li-de sensors, cameras, and AI to drive autonomously through roads, identify hindrances, and decide on the next course of action in record time.
- Increases Mobility
Self-driving cars are also expected to enhance the likelihood of people with limited mobility to drive, such as the elderly, disabled, and those who do not hold valid driving licenses. The innovative cars might likely offer a viable means of transport for these people, thus enabling them to gain more freedom and access basic needs.
Furthermore, with the help of self-driving cars, the problem of transportation in rural or unpopulated regions where there are few, if any, public transport links could be solved. It would enable people to have easy and cheap means of transport, which would enhance their lives.
- Efficiency
One more benefit of self-driving cars is that they will be faster than human drivers in terms of transportation. Self-driving cars are capable of interacting with each other, which ensures that they tweak their path, avoid traffic jams, and minimize traffic congestion. This could result in small traveling distances and higher fuel efficiency, which will suit the drivers and the environment.
Dangers and Challenges
Self-driving or autonomous cars have their share of technological advancement, but there are also their problems.
Complicated MVA Lawsuits
Reducing motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) is one of the objectives of developing self-driving cars. However, one of the main challenges is achieving AVs’ technical capability to operate safely at any time of day, in any kind of weather, without causing an accident or injury to others. However, there are things that can cause system confusion or overwhelm it, such as construction pits, ramps, or bad weather resulting in a bad accident. Hence, the occurrence of the accident becomes inevitable, but to what entity does the liability belong in the following occurrences and third-party injuries?
For one to get quick justice and compensation, one should seek consultation with an attorney. However, since most people don’t usually have one on standby, they often sign up with MVA lead generation agencies for assistance. That’s where reputable law firms source clients who need legal expertise during the most challenging and life-altering traffic accidents. Some of these agencies, such as Exclusive Leads Agencies and other similar agencies, are preferred by firms as they have exclusive MVA leads connecting victims to only one and the best law firm for faster processing.
Probabilities of Hacking
Another source of concern for self-driving cars that has not yet been addressed is cyber vulnerability. Because self-driving cars are controlled by software and use a connection, they are easy targets for hacking. Hackers can reverse the programming of such cars, hijack them, and cause havoc through accidents, carjacking, or using the car as a deadly weapon.
As self-driving cars take the roads, security concerns will become more paramount for the market. However, making sure that those systems are secure is not an easy task or process.
Increased Unemployment
Self-driving cars could also pose social issues, such as massive unemployment in major industries such as trucking, delivery services, and taxi services. Tens of millions of people have jobs as drivers, and self-driving cars will put many of them out of work. Although new employment opportunities in the technology and maintenance field may be expected, there could be a problem for people whose only means of income rely on driving.
Regulatory and Legal Issues
Governments and regulatory authorities are still working on these questions; the answers will be continental or regional. It will be valuable to create clear laws that determine how self-driving cars will be prevalent in the future without compromising the safety of citizens on the streets.