Introduction
The self-driving car is a fundamentally new stage in the development of science in the direction of transport technologies. A vehicle equipped with a unique automatic control system that can move without human intervention expands the transport industry’s possibilities. Moreover, some years ago, people thought that cars that drive independently existed only in science fiction books and movies. At the moment, a future where cities will be filled with self-driving cars does not seem that far away.
However, any leap in the development of science and technology causes many controversies and contradictions. In the case of self-driving cars, there are different opinions on whether it benefits society or not. At the same time, there is no denying that self-driving cars represent progress, which would be unwise to abandon. Thus, self-driving cars should be legalized in Georgia and other U.S. states.
Discussion
Self-driving cars are able to move independently due to the presence of special software and sensors. Such devices control almost all car systems: steering wheel rotation, gear change, and speed. Simultaneously, the sensors are responsible for collecting data about the surrounding environment, which helps the car avoid accidents, and brake at a red light. A company called Waymo began its operations in 2009 under the leadership of Google (Waymo). The organization now manufactures and tests its autonomous vehicles in eleven U.S. states, including Georgia. The company claims that such cars are necessary for the United States for several reasons. First, 12 million Americans over the age of forty are blind or have poor vision (Waymo). Approximately 79% of the elderly over the age of sixty-five live in an environment where a car is needed (Waymo). Thus, a self-driving vehicle provides many advantages that will improve the quality of life of residents of Georgia and the rest of the states.
Another reason for introducing driverless cars is their high safety and reliability. Security is one of the critical factors that cause controversy among supporters and opponents of the introduction of self-driving cars. Experts who oppose it believe that one cannot wholly rely on artificial intelligence, as it is not reliable. However, a large number of researchers are engaged in proving the safety of autonomous cars. First, the driverless car is equipped with special software and a system that guarantees driving safety. GPS is an essential part of an autonomous car and is controlled by a satellite signal. In the event of a loss of the satellite signal, there is a guarantee that the vehicle will avoid an accident. This is due to a back-up system, the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which controls all the vehicle sensors (Chandler 21). Thus, each self-driving car is equipped with one or more spare systems that ensure driving safety.
Moreover, drivers most often become the cause of road accidents themselves. Various studies show that the driver himself causes about 90% of all car crashes (Chen et al., 1). The most common causes of accidents include distraction, drunk driving, speeding, and traffic rules ignorance (Chen et al., 1). A self-driving car, by contrast, does not possess the human mindset, which allows it to avoid such mistakes. The autonomous car strictly follows the given instructions without breaking the rules, avoiding dangerous moments, and driving carefully. Furthermore, the driverless car is more sensitive to the environment, which reduces the likelihood of getting into an accident. Indeed, it is impossible to completely exclude the possibility that one of the sensors will fail or the software will break. However, the probability of such a case is several times less than the likelihood of the driver’s own mistake.
However, some factors can hinder the spread and adoption of self-driving cars in the United States. Such an initiative as the creation and full implementation of autonomous vehicles will undoubtedly affect other markets of the economy. For example, there is an opinion that the insurance industry will inevitably suffer if conventional cars are replaced with self-driving ones (Mills). The goal of self-driving cars is to ensure owners’ convenience, reduce the price of commercial vehicles, and create a safe environment on the roads. However, it is the latter point that leads to the fact that insurance companies and the insurance business as a whole will suffer significant losses. The problem is that insurance companies are used to working with people who were entirely responsible for a traffic accident. Now, due to the introduction of autonomous cars, the level of responsibility in the event of an accident is shifted to the car itself. Thus, insurance companies will need to adapt to the new realities. In the case of large insurers, this will not be a big problem; however, smaller companies based in small cities will incur losses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the legalization of self-driving cars in Georgia and the rest of the U.S. will certainly bring many benefits. Several population segments need an affordable driverless vehicle: the elderly, the blind, people with poor eyesight, and etcetera. What is more, autonomous cars are proving to be safer vehicles than traditional ones. Such transports are equipped with several back-up operating systems that replace each other in case of problems. The number of road accidents will also steadily decrease, thanks to the elimination of the human factor. Unfortunately, there are still some risks for both drivers and, for example, insurance companies. However, these threats are offset by the overall safety, convenience, and reliability of self-driving cars.
Works Cited
Chandler, Matt. The Tech Behind Self-Driving Cars. Capstone Press, 2020.
Chen, Tingting, et al. “Review on driverless traffic from management perspective.” MATEC Web of Conferences, vol. 124, 2017, pp. 1-6.
Mills, Nelson. “Will Self-Driving Cars Disrupt the Insurance Industry?” Forbes, Web.
Waymo, We’re Building the World’s Most Experienced Driver. Software Manufacturer, Web.