Essay Example: Self-Driving Cars Will Change The World

Drinking and driving causes 28 deaths per day in the U.S (Borelli). From stupid decision making to aggressive swerving, Drinking and driving has forever been a leading cause of death in car accidents till this day. Because drinking physically impares drivers from being able to properly function, an easy fix is to not drive at all. One way to fix that is the usage of self-driving cars.

The first advantage, it will lead to the elimination of road congestion. According to research by Randle O’Toole, “Computers' faster reaction times reduce congestion on highways” (O'Toole). By slowing down to essentially perfect speeds, reducing spacing between cars and moving at the same time reduces a domino effect that leads to a huge stop/start delay. That same source states, “The Elimination of spacing between cars going the same speed will improve capacity, along with flow” (O'Toole). Using sensors located around the entire car, vehicles are able to drive much closer to cars in traffic while keeping a steady speed while utilizing much more space for cars. This still allows cars to brake fast without rear ending each other. 

Secondly, newer cars have more features. An article in “The Economist” newspaper quotes, "Help drivers with steering and braking and, in some cases, overrule their human operators to prevent crashes" (“Safer”). For example, When a person is driving and has the risk of being T-boned, the car may forcefully turn the steering wheel the other direction to avoid the unseen, incoming vehicle. The sudden jerk of the wheel may catch a person off guard but will aid in avoiding a costly wreck. “The Economist” adds, "Nissan is working on software that anticipates a driver's next move--for instance, adjusting the speed and position of the car going into a turn" (“Safer”). Soon cars will anticipate how another car drives. With technology advancing the car might slow down before any danger is presented.  

Not Only will cars eliminate congestion but Reduce the number of fatal crashes. Improving technology means improved safety. One article insists that By eliminating driver error, highway safety will greatly increase (O'Toole). Everyone has run into a driver that doesn't know how to drive. With the replacement of human drivers the self-driving car market will flourish, greatly increase safety and lower the number of accidents caused by a reckless driver. Randle says, millions of microprocessors controlling each system within a car results in very little room for error (O'Toole). Previously it was thought that self-driving cars only had minimal sensors but now with millions of microprocessors, more than a Boeing 747 to be exact, precision has never been so great. 

A separate source reveals, The invention of simulators will speed up the process of preventing malfunctions within the car like anti glare sensors ("Motoring"). Testing of these potentially dangerous additions no longer have to be on public roads, putting civilians at risk. Companies now have access to state of the art simulators that provide a safe environment for testing new gadgets. Cars have a brain too. Studies by John Keane prove, Self driving cars contain a navigation system that is like a brain and learns more over time (Keane). Like navigation systems within current cars, self-driving cars will use an identical approach but will utilize a learning pattern over time to learn certain shapes and potential obstacles a street may have.

John Claims, Artificial intelligence makes a surrounding 3D map to get a perspective of what's happening (Keane). Some newer non self-driving cars are quite similar, displaying a full  360 view when reversing. But a 3D map is quite different, 3D cartoon-like cars can be seen driving past the media screen and it can even pick up people using the crosswalk. Along with that, driverless could mean eliminating road rage and collision problems. Research done by Gini Graham Scott states, Self driving cars will virtually rid the streets of Intermittent Explosive Disorder typically caused by driving (Scott). Intermittent Explosive disorder is typically shown by physical violence, such as throwing things and the urge to fight another driver. Well in this case there is no driver to be mad at. Thus decreasing the rate of extreme intermittent Explosive disorder. 

Scott includes, With no one driving there's no person to be mad at (Scott). There's no doubt technology can completely get rid of vehicle road rage violence but physical violence exchanged from person to person will surely decrease. In a worse case scenario the enraged driver would beat the helpless car instead. Another article asserts, Self driving cars will increase mobility for those who before could not drive ("Self-Driving"). Think about those who travel everywhere, everyday on a public transport bus and take ten minutes each time to load up and down on the wheelchair lift. With the advancement of self-driving cars disabled people may be able to purchase and get around on their own without the use of public transportation.  

In addition, drivers can save more money in the long run. Scott reveals that, If two driverless Cars are involved in a wreck, operators might be at no financial risk at all, rather the manufacturers fault (Scott). If the accident is proven that both drivers were not driving, then whose fault was it? In reality insurance can't charge someone who did nothing, so the accident cost may go towards the manufacturer for a failure in self driving systems. Lastly, Cars will record collisions and save them, thus proving who's at fault and how to deal with the situation (Scott). Most of the cars have a camera angle on each, that means when a crash is detected the car senses a fast stop and cameras will know to save a short clip of the accident. Proving who was at fault. 

Some people may argue that today's technology will not ensure 100% safety while driving.

Self driving cars shouldnt be allowed because there is always a possibility of tech failure and putting lives in danger. Just like cars on the road today, at any time the car could blow a gasket or fluid may start to leak over time. But by the time Self driving cars have taken over the roads there will be extensive research, testing and maintenance check ups twenty four seven to ensure safety of all motorists. Just like how the world thought putting a man in space was impossible without serious risk, now sending astronauts into orbit is without hesitation. 

As a result, The use of self-driving cars is superior to that of human operation. They eliminate road congestion by using fast reaction sensors to close the overall distance between cars. Also reduce high numbers of fatal crashes by using state of the art technology and millions of microprocessors to keep passengers safe. It will solve road rage conflicts because there is no driver to be mad at and reduces the rate of Intermittent Explosive disorder. Society needs to adapt to the use of self-driving cars and further improve transportation all around the world for those who couldn't before. 

Works cited 

Keane, John. "Can Self-Driving Cars Lead to Sustainability? Autonomous Smart Sensors, Perception and Planning Algorithms, and Data Processing Efficiency." Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, vol. 12, no. 1, July 2020, pp. 9+. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A636082555/OVIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=770852db. Accessed 23 Mar. 2022.

"Motoring with the Sims; Self-driving cars." The Economist, vol. 420, no. 8997, 9 July 2016, p. 68(US). Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A457258417/OVIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=906a9ff5. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

O'Toole, Randal. "AI Smart Cars Will Transform Highway Safety and Congestion." Artificial Intelligence, edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010771226/OVIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=8a01fd9e. Accessed 23 Mar. 2022. Originally published as "Dude, Where's My Driverless Car?" Gridlock: Why We're Stuck in Traffic and What To Do About It, Cato Institute, 2009, pp. 189-202.

"Safer at any speed? Self-driving cars." The Economist, vol. 402, no. 8774, 3 Mar. 2012, p. 78(US). Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A281700634/OVIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=6303c3e4. Accessed 1 Apr. 2022.

Scott, Gini Graham. "Driverless Cars Could Eliminate Road Rage." Road Rage, edited by Amy Francis, Greenhaven Press, 2014. At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010911216/OVIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=b481607f. Accessed 24 Mar. 2022. Originally published as "The Driverless Car—and the End of Road Rage?" Huffington Post, 2012.

"Self-Driving Cars." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2021. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/GECXKE651250678/OVIC?u=ndk12a_58504zbiz&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=0a672788. Accessed 24 Mar. 2022.