For most, every time you open a web browser, the first thing you do is search for something on Google. For the past 17 years, Google has been involved in the innovation of search engines, productivity software and social networks. Google’s latest endeavor is the creation of the self-driving car. Some people are excited about the idea and others are not so confident in it.
Since its announcement in 2012, the autonomous car has been a hot topic for drivers and pedestrians alike. One of the ideas behind this creation is to eliminate the human error factor related to car accidents; another is to give people the opportunity to be more productive on the go. Google and Ford Motor Company recently agreed to work together on this project and have successfully used a self-driving car to navigate the snowy streets of the northern United States.
However, what does all this mean for the rest of the United States? According to reports, there are more than 200,000 car accidents in southern states each year, and more than 6,000 deaths a year as a result. If the tests continue to be successful, the United States can hope to avoid maneuvering a vehicle during inclement weather, which also contributes heavily to car crashes and fatalities. Another positive notion is that much older citizens can still maintain their independence even if they lose the ability to actively drive.
Some negative comments and concerns about the self-driving car include that people don’t think they can really trust the technology to work properly 100% of the time, which can lead to a car accident. Other concerns include that driving software that stores personal data could be a breach of privacy, how the car can navigate itself through detours, and other things that could affect the route taken. Is the autonomous car as safe as the testers claim? Many skeptics raise the question if after the implementation of these vehicles, will driver education still be necessary and will there be classes to learn how to use the autonomous car?
Whatever the opinion on this matter, only time will tell the outcome. The driverless car is projected to be part of our lives by the year 2020, hopefully by then this new vehicle can be better understood, save lives and help prevent traffic accidents. Contact a car accident attorney for help.
