Self-driving vehicles have undergone a transformation from a sci-fi concept to an actual occurrence on U.S roads. Autonomous cars are in development, testing and, in some places, in practice. And along with the futuristic technology there is a critical question: Are autonomous cars safe?
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Put simply: While these vehicles show promise, there are still limitations and risks that must be kept in mind.
In this article, we’ll explore many facets of autonomous vehicles and help bring a bit more scope to the picture.
What Is an Autonomous Car?
Before we talk about safety, we first need to make an important distinction: Not every vehicle that features “self-driving” modes is considered truly autonomous.
Automated driving is generally broken down to six distinct levels, from 0 to 5:
- Level 0: The driver does all the driving, while the vehicle may give warnings or provide some assistance.
- Level 1: The vehicle has the ability to assist with one driving function, like steering, acceleration, or braking.
- Level 2: The vehicle can help with both steering and speed simultaneously, but the driver must maintain responsibility and attentiveness.
- Level 3: The vehicle can drive under certain conditions, but a human may need to take over.
- Level 4: The vehicle can drive itself without human control under specific conditions or in particular areas.
- Level 5: The vehicle could itself virtually anywhere, in all circumstances where a human could drive.
Most vehicles on the market today remain at Level 1 or Level 2. Thus, features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automated braking are not to be mistaken for a totally driverless car.
Could A Self-Driving Car Be Safer in Some Way?
One of the most popular reasons for autonomous vehicles being championed is the argument that they could potentially reduce accidents caused by human error.
A human driver can sometimes:
- Be distracted by their phone
- Get drowsy or fall asleep
- Drive while under the influence
- Miss hazards
- Make poor decisions
- Have slow reaction time in an emergency
An autonomous driving system can’t get tired, bored or distracted. It’s able to constantly monitor its surroundings and make decisions in line with its programs and sensors. These attributes could help reduce some forms of human error and help improve road safety.
However, this doesn’t mean the technology is flawless. There is still a long way to go.
What Does the Data Tell Us?
The data we have so far is interesting.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a study that found that Waymo’s autonomous cars had significantly lower rates of police-reported accidents as compared to human drivers in similar areas and time periods.
That’s an encouraging mark for driverless technology. That said, it’s always a good idea to put these results into perspective.
The study only focused on a particular driverless service that was operating under certain conditions. Therefore, we must understand that in no way does this mean that every self-driving vehicle is safer than every human driver.
As with all new technology, more real-world data and long-term research is necessary before we can determine the overall safety of these vehicles.
Are There Risks with Autonomous Vehicles?
Self-driving or not, every vehicle on the road still faces the unpredictability of driving conditions.
For both humans and autonomous cars, drivers will inevitably come up against:
- Construction
- Street closures
- Bad weather
- Moving or stopped emergency vehicles
- Object or debris on the road
- Poor signage
- Complex intersections
- Aggressive or unpredictable driving
Technology must also be prepared for conditions that can be tricky to anticipate or program for.
And another important factor to keep in mind: drivers with cars that offer automated assistance could fail to understand the limits of what their vehicle can do.
For example, a Level 2 car may steer, accelerate, and brake automatically, but a driver must still be paying attention. In all vehicles to date, the driver is responsible for supervising the vehicle and must be ready to take over.
So, Are Autonomous Cars Safe?
On some level, yes. On another level, not quite yet.
Autonomous show great potential in making driving safer, particularly by mitigating accidents caused by distraction, fatigue, and other human errors. So far, the data from some driverless fleets is encouraging.
Nevertheless, self-driving technology is still in development, and different systems have varying capabilities.
If your vehicle comes with automated driving features, it’s a good idea to:
- Get familiar with the level of automation your car offers.
- Follow any manufacturer instructions.
- Know when a system can be used and when it should not be used.
- Keep alert and aware whenever the system requires supervision.
- Remember that “driver assistance” does Not mean the vehicle can completely drive itself.
As with all exciting new technology in the automotive world, here at eTags, we’re watching this space…
