How Safe Are You Next To a Self-Driving Vehicle?

As technology evolves, more and more aspects of our daily lives are becoming automated. Self-driving cars are no longer science fiction, they are one the road right now. You may have driven next to one without even realizing it. The term “self-driving” doesn’t necessarily mean no one is at the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assigns 6 levels of automation when it comes to self-driving cars. The following was obtained directly from their website and further explains each level of automation.

Level 0 – Momentary Driver Assistance
System provides momentary driving assistance, like warnings and alerts, or emergency safety interventions while driver remains fully engaged and attentive. You, as the driver, are responsible for driving the vehicle. All vehicle features are assistive and do not operate the vehicle. You must steer, brake, and accelerate.

Example of vehicle technologies:

• automatic emergency braking
• forward collision warning
• lane departure warning

Level 1 – Driver Assistance
System provides continuous assistance with either acceleration/braking OR steering, while driver remains fully engaged and attentive. You, as the driver, are responsible for driving the vehicle. When engaged, the system can perform either steering OR acceleration/braking.

Example of vehicle technologies:

• adaptive cruise control
• lane keeping assistance

Level 2 – Additional Assistance
System provides continuous assistance with both acceleration/braking AND steering, while driver remains fully engaged and attentive. You, as the driver, are responsible for driving the vehicle. When engaged, the system can perform steering AND acceleration/braking.

Example of vehicle technologies:

• highway pilot

Level 3 – Conditional Automation
System actively performs driving tasks while driver remains available to take over. When engaged, the system handles all aspects of the driving task while you, as the driver, are available to take over driving if requested. If the system can no longer operate and prompts the driver, the driver must be available to resume all aspects of the driving task.

THESE TECHNOLOGIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON TODAY’S VEHICLES FOR CONSUMER PURCHASE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Level 4 – High Automation
System is fully responsible for driving tasks within limited service areas while occupants act only as passengers and do not need to be engaged. When engaged, the system handles all driving tasks while you, now the passenger, are not needed to maneuver the vehicle. The system can only operate the vehicle in limited service areas, not universally. A human driver is not needed to operate the vehicle.

THESE TECHNOLOGIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON TODAY’S VEHICLES FOR CONSUMER PURCHASE.

Level 5 – Full Automation
System is fully responsible for driving tasks while occupants act only as passengers and do not need to be engaged. When engaged, the system handles all driving tasks while you, now the passenger, are not needed to maneuver the vehicle. The system can operate the vehicle universally – under all conditions and on all roadways. A human driver is not needed to operate the vehicle.

THESE TECHNOLOGIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON TODAY’S VEHICLES FOR CONSUMER PURCHASE.

What developments are on the horizon?

One development issue with self-driving cars is how to manufacture them using artificial intelligence (AI) that is “intelligent” enough to account for varying road conditions. Taking the human factor out of the equation means reaction time is based solely on pre-programmed outputs that may not be suitable for the present driving situation. Because of this, fully-automated cars are not yet a reality. Motor vehicles still require a human touch to ensure they are safely driven. With that said, as automotive technology continues to evolve, there will be a point in the foreseeable future where advancements are made that will allow full automation of all driving tasks.

So how safe will self-driving cars be?

The major concern with fully automated vehicles is how they will react to unforeseen situations that cannot be preprogrammed. One such situation would be assessing the risk of hydroplaning on a rain drenched road. As humans, we can assess what’s in front of us, take into account external factors (road type, amount of rain, estimated depth, rate of speed of other cars, etc.) and assess how we should negotiate an upcoming puddle in the road. Could a computer analyze all of these factors as well as a human?

What about a person or animal that suddenly darts into traffic? As we drive, humans can take note of potential dangers that may become actual dangers as our vehicle approaches them. For example, we may see a truck traveling in front of us whose load doesn’t appear to be secured properly. We can use our brains to respond to the situation accordingly and switch lanes, slow down, or even alert the driver of the truck that their cargo may fall out.

According to a study conducted by PolicyGenius, a majority of Americans (76%) say they feel less safe driving or riding in cars with self-driving features. Likewise, a majority of Americans (73%) say they feel less safe knowing others on the road have cars with self-driving features. Those are significant numbers auto manufacturers will need to overcome.

What should I do if I’m injured in a motor vehicle accident?

You should have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. The Law Office of Brian Brunson focuses on serious personal injury, auto, truck and motorcycle accident cases throughout the state of Texas. We have been named “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” and have a 5-star, A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Reach out to us today so we can discuss your case.