Have you ever been driving to work or class, stuck in traffic, wishing you had a few extra minutes to put on your mascara or take a nap? Driving takes so much of our attention and focus, and we must pay full attention when we are behind the wheel. But what about these new self-driving cars that have made headlines lately? While there are positive and negative impacts regarding these autonomous cars, there is no doubt they are changing the way we think about driving.
While self-driving cars can potentially provide a seamless drive (for the drivers and passengers alike), there are many safety questions that are raised. Can a computer system within a car actually be safer than human drivers? Studies have shown that the computer detection systems offer a better-rounded version of identifying potential problems than human beings do. While self-driving cars may be able to predict what will happen, or be able to sense how close another vehicle or object is, humans are still meant to be fully aware and able to take over control of the vehicle at any moment. Computers may be able to figure out the quickest route somewhere, but there still is nothing quite like human instinct. While a self-driving car can interpret its surroundings and figure out a safe outcome, they cannot learn from experience. For example, when a person drives, then takes a class from California traffic school or online traffic school, they have more of an understanding of the area they are in, and can use that experience to help them avoid their previous mistakes. While the computer systems inside these self-driving cars can be updated and tweaked, there is no sure fire way to match human intuition.
But, the benefit of self-driving cars is that the human driver can take over control whenever they deem necessary (or when there is an emergency), so the two in conjunction could offer an overall safer ride. The self-driving car can use its pre-programmed system to find the quickest and safest route, and coupled with a person’s specific knowledge from California traffic school or online traffic school, it might just be the smoothest ride ever.
Another major issue within the self-driving car industry is the decrease or total loss of jobs. Many people make their living by driving, whether it is driving cross country trucking, Uber drivers, or local taxi cab drivers. Could driver less cars mean the end of these industries? While it will take quite a while to flesh out, the people who use vehicles as their form of work could mean the end of their jobs. Before the industry potentially switches over completely, in order to educate yourself in all things driving, I recommend enrolling in California traffic school (or online traffic school) to show your boss how dedicated you are to your craft, as well as getting the leg up on these driver less vehicles.
Regardless of your personal opinions on self-driving cars, their ability to change driving as we know it cannot be argued. It is of the utmost importance that we as a society weigh the cost and benefits of incorporating driverless cars into our everyday lives. Keeping up on new laws and information through California online traffic school can keep you on your toes and up on the news regarding the shift towards autonomous cars. Whether we like it or not, driver less cars will be a part of the future, and it is up to us to decide how we utilize them.