Like it or not, autonomous vehicles are here to say. Numerous research studies project robust growth for autonomous vehicles, as Google and major automakers continue to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into vehicles with some degree of self-driving capability.
Earlier this week, a new study by market research firm Juniper Research projected that annual sales of fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the US will reach 5 million by 2026. In comparison, the global market will account for 20 million new AVs sold during the same year, the study said.
But it was one comment from the author of study, Michael Larner that, while being an obvious effect of autonomous vehicle technology, raises more questions in my mind about overall road safety.
Larner said, “The introduction of fully autonomous technologies, with some vehicles no longer having steering wheels and pedals, will mean that the focus will shift from how drivers get from A-B to how the occupants use the journey time.”
To me, that sounds like a formula for a distracted driver, oblivious to what is going on around him/her. And distracted driving remains a big problem.
In New York State where I’m front, there are major efforts from authorities to eliminate distracted driving, amounting to stiff fines and license points for drivers found texting or operating mobile phones without hands-free technology. Still, observations from my 50 mile (one-way) daily commute show many drivers doing a number of things besides driving: eating, reading, putting on makeup, and yes, trying to talk or text on a hand-held phone.
Autonomous vehicle technology will shift the onus for safe driving to the sensors and other electromechanical/electronic technology guiding the vehicle. The driver would become a passenger rather than active participant, as if he/she were riding a train or bus. But is that such a good idea?
There have been several well-publicized instances of fatal accidents involving vehicles using autonomous driving technology. Uber has disbanded its self-driving vehicle program in Tempe, Arizona, following a fatal crash there in March where an Uber vehicle driven by autonomous technology killed a pedestrian. Even though the pedestrian was outside a crosswalk when she was hit, state driving laws always give pedestrians the right of way.
Right now, autonomous vehicle technology is far from foolproof, which means that more accidents like the incident in Tempe can occur. Add to that the fact that autonomous vehicles right now do not have special traffic lanes set aside for them and must share the road with non-autonomous vehicles. Can we at this point afford to allow someone in an autonomous vehicle to be completely disengaged from the driving process and instead get distracted by other tasks?
To me, taking away a steering wheel and brakes or not giving a passenger adequate training on handling an autonomous vehicle in the event of an emergency or difficult driving conditions will lead to even more accidents and raise more questions on the future of self-driving technology.