Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Self-driving cars may not be yet available to consumers, but they are already raising debate about the age-old man versus technology question. When a vehicle has a reaction time quicker than a human driver and can make decisions quicker than the average person behind the wheel, what are the lasting implications?
Where human drivers are susceptible to error, irritation, mood swings, fatigue and other varying contingents that can impact the ability to drive, a self-driving car isn’t. This could put technology ahead of human drivers in terms of safety.
Self-driving cars have been safely navigating California roads and highways for years. According to Slate Magazine report, a new Google Video illustrates the strategic abilities of these vehicles to prevent accidents and injuries. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys are dedicated to preventing accidents and keeping the roads safe for Florida drivers. In addition to raising awareness about safety and technology advancements, we are committed to pursuing justice on behalf of individuals who have been injured in an accident.
Highway driving can create significant hazards because of high speeds. City driving poses its own issues, including pedestrians, bikers, stop signs, and other obstacles. For the Google autonomous car, algorithms dictate how decisions are made to prevent accidents and injuries on the road. Google drivers have been tracking thousands of miles and documenting the abilities of the vehicle to navigate traffic and turns, jaywalkers, stoplights, cyclists, and construction zones. The car can even back in and out of parking spaces on its own.
According to Google representatives, the self-driving car can detect hundreds of objects at the same time including pedestrians, buses, stop signs, crossing guards and even cyclists who may or may not decide to take a turn. Where the human mind physically cannot sense and interpret all of these objects, the technology of a self-driving vehicle makes it possible. Self-driving cars also are not motivated by emotions or don’t get impatient when other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians are in the way. This could prevent rash decisions, hurried moves, or collisions caused by aggressive driving.
Smart cars are designed to be cautious. The decisions made by self-driven cars are also based on data that is interpreted in split seconds. Instead of gunning it at the sign of a green light, a smart car will wait to ensure that no other car is about to run a red light. Despite all of these advances, the Google self-driven car is not a catch all solution to prevent future accidents and injuries. According to other reports, there continue to be some instances when a human driver must intervene to take the wheel. One problem with the self-driven car is that it is completely automated so that if unexpected or unpredictable circumstances arise, it is likely that a human driver will have to navigate some situations, including unidentified obstacles or routes.
The question remains, who will be liable in the event of “computer error?” Drivers must still be accountable when behind the wheel. Though self-driving cars may never be the perfect solution to prevent accidents and injuries, the methods used to calculate risks and interpret surroundings are likely beyond human abilities.
Call Freeman Injury Law — 1-800-561-7777 for a free appointment to discuss your rights.
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Fatalities Highlight Risk of Wrong Way Accidents in Broward, Miami-Dade, March 21, 2014, Hollywood Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Insurance Dispute in Chain-Reaction Collisions – One Collision or Two? March 7, 2014, Coral Springs Car Accident Lawyers