Decades ago, we would only dream about cars that could drive themselves. Now, self-driving cars are the newest solution to a lesser pollution and the new experience of sitting in the driver’s place without the need to get involved.
Personally, I believe that driverless cars and mobility as a service is a great thing, especially for young drivers, old drivers, and for persons with health issues that aren’t allowed to drive. Driverless cars were developed thanks to artificial intelligence, and function through vocal instructions.
Currently, young drivers are the main risk factors on the road and self-driving cars seem to be the solution for eliminating this risk. Now, let’s get further into detail and see how young drivers cope with driverless cars.
What are the Main Problems Young Drivers Face on the Road?
- Congestion – too many cars and people on the roads and insufficient highway and road infrastructure.
- Dangerous drivers – drivers who aren’t paying attention, who are multitasking, who are distracted, who are impulsive and aggressive, or who are driving in the wrong lane.
- Big trucks – the number of trucks on the road keeps increasing because companies keep shipping by trucks, an aspect that increases congestion and the number of accidents.
- Constructions – the increased traffic, especially due to many large trucks, causes the need of constant repairs on the roads, an aspect that slows down the traffic even more.
Why Young Drivers Represent a Risk for the Other Drivers?
- They’re inexperienced.
- 1 in 4 teens drive under the influence.
- Most teenagers suffer of sleep deprivation; therefore, they drive a lot while they’re sleepy.
- Texting while driving.
- Driving with speed at night.
- Driving at excessive speeds, close following, and other risky driving styles.
- Teens are usually more comfortable with risk-taking situations and stressful situations.
What Problems can Driverless Cars Solve?
- Less traffic
As self-driving cars are able to communicate with each other and the surrounding environment, they are able to identify the most optimal road.
- Reduced emission
All around the globe, the CO2 emission has been found to be a major pollutant as it accounts for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. Only by using electric autonomous taxis, by 2030 the greenhouse emission rate could be reduced by 80% per mile.
- Better health
Less traffic means less stress. Traffic jams have been shown to cause depression, anxiety, rise in blood pressure, and decrease the quality of sleep. As well, self-driving cars work on electricity, so no more gas emission that pollutes our lungs.
- Increased safety
Worldwide, around 1.2 million people are killed annually in traffic accidents. Self-driving cars can reduce traffic accidents up to 90% and preventing more than $190 billon in damages and health costs.
What Do Young Drivers Think About Driverless Cars?
Surprisingly, the generation which has grown with technology in their hands would definitively go for self-dependence rather than self-driving. As it turns out in Nielsen research, where 1133 children (from grades 9 to 12) from US were polled, more than 60% of the surveyed persons would prefer to drive the car themselves rather than letting artificial intelligence in charge with their destiny.
Conclusion
Driving is a great responsibility that some young people fail to see. It’s not only about endangering other people’s life, it’s about putting their own life in danger first. I believe that we must work on growing more responsible young men and women for a safer road.
Technology may evolve, but we cannot bring cars in court to be responsible for someone’s death. But, then again, if there’s something that can assure us that is completely safe, self-driving cars can really represent an innovative future.
Jacob Dillon is an editor and journalist at EssaysOnTime. He is fond of attending concerts, travelling and surfing. The best way for Jacob to express himself is to write. Meet him on Facebook and Twitter.
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