Self-Driving Cars
"An autonomous car, also known as a 'robotic car' or 'driverless car,' is a vehicle designed to operate without the guidance or control of a human driver." -- Micah Issitt.
"Proponents ... believe that driverless vehicles will reduce the incidence of traffic accidents, reduce fuel consumption, alleviate parking issues, and reduce car theft, among other benefits. One of the most significant potential benefits of 'fully autonomous' vehicles is to provide independent transportation to disabled individuals who are not able to operate a traditional motor vehicle. Potential complications or problems with autonomous vehicles include the difficulty in assessing liability in the case of accidents and a reduction in the number of driving-related occupations available to workers." (Issitt, Micah. "Autonomous Car." Ebsco Host. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science, Jan. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.)
The main thought behind self-driving cars is the idea that having a computer behind the wheel, instead of a person, will decrease the chances of an accident. It'll also help to decrease the amount of traffic on the road and allow for its passengers to catch up on sleep or do some last minute work on a presentation.
However...
The Insurance Industry will also suffer; why insure a car when there's "no chance" of having an accident? Even though insurance companies can still insure homes, personal property, and lives, they will still suffer the loss of autos which will cost many people their jobs and livelihoods--this loss could even potentially kill the industry as a whole. Bye-bye, Flo.
While convenient, Self-driving cars aren't the messiah that they're being regaled as; as a result, our focus should turn to how to improve public TRANSPORTATION and how to make it more ACCESSIBLE.
Created with images by DayronV - "nissan car automobile" • donjd2 - "Google Self Driving Car @CHM" • fignetto - "crash car car crash" • uniquedesign52 - "woodland road falling leaf" • Murat Livaneli - "Road"