Are self-driving cars a good or bad idea?

[Randy]

Are self-driving cars a good or bad idea?

Would you own one?

Would you trust it not to crash?

 

[PGen98]

Terrible idea!! Especially when we reach the point where people are fiddling with their own cars...asking for trouble!

 

[Nebulous]

I wouldn't trust enough to fall asleep or not watch the road while driving. I'd let it do its self driving thing but I'd be there ready to slam on the breaks or swerve out of the way if a situation is about to go down.

The car I have now has a pretty advanced cruise control feature. It has radar and can sense cars in front of me so when I have it turned on all I have to do is steer the car. It'll do all the breaking and accelerating on its own. I am always watching though. I don't trust it completely.

 

[MrDawn]

I wouldn't mind if it was a perfected technology. I'd sleep the whole way on a trip and let the car do the driving if that was the case.

 

[Dee]

In theory, yes, but there are a lot of kinks to work out and I think we'll see some progress in the next decade or two. What I'm worried about more is the economy and how everyone who freakin' drives is going to be able to afford the car itself, maintenance on the car, and charging stations. They have to figure that stuff out before pushing these kinds of cars.

 

[Nebulous]

In theory, yes, but there are a lot of kinks to work out and I think we'll see some progress in the next decade or two. What I'm worried about more is the economy and how everyone who freakin' drives is going to be able to afford the car itself, maintenance on the car, and charging stations. They have to figure that stuff out before pushing these kinds of cars.

Maybe once the tech has been around for a while the price will drop. I remember DVD players were like $3000 when they first came out, now they can't give them away.

 

[Shortie]

I really can not see how self-driving cars can be safe at all if I am honest. One thing goes wrong and you have a huge issue on your hands, even if you are able to take over the steering wheel and the gears and such it could still be too late if something was to happen to the car whilst is is self-driving and you could still end up in a very bad situation. I definitely wouldn't trust a self-driving car myself.

 

[Nebulous]

I really can not see how self-driving cars can be safe at all if I am honest. One thing goes wrong and you have a huge issue on your hands, even if you are able to take over the steering wheel and the gears and such it could still be too late if something was to happen to the car whilst is is self-driving and you could still end up in a very bad situation. I definitely wouldn't trust a self-driving car myself.

If you're watching like a hawk and have your hands on the steering wheel and feet near the petals at all times then you should be able to avoid any mishaps.

But then again whats the point of having a self driving car if you're "driving" it how I just described. Lol

 

[Webster]

Are self-driving cars a good or bad idea?

Would you own one?

Would you trust it not to crash?

As with any technology it can used for both good and bad.
That said, I wouldn't own a self-driving car.

 

[Kyng]

I love the idea, for a few different reasons.

First of all: they'd eliminate the most common cause of accidents, which is human error. (A lot of people dismiss the idea of self-driving cars with the line "What if they crashed?" - and yet, these same people are perfectly happy with human-driven cars, which crash all the time due to mistakes made by the human drivers!)

Secondly: tying into the above, I have never been a confident driver. I've never been in an accident, but I've had several near-misses, and therefore, I'm always scared that I might not be so lucky next time.

Thirdly, some people have it even worse for me: they cannot drive for medical reasons. Self-driving cars would give these people a level of independence that they don't currently have.

Finally, self-driving cars would give me the ability to do stuff during the journey. At present, all time spent driving feels like wasted time.

Of course, all of the above depends on the technology proving itself to be acceptably safe. That hasn't happened yet - and therefore, I don't believe they're ready for use yet. But I hope they one day will be.

 

[Nebulous]

First of all: they'd eliminate the most common cause of accidents, which is human error. (A lot of people dismiss the idea of self-driving cars with the line "What if they crashed?" - and yet, these same people are perfectly happy with human-driven cars, which crash all the time due to mistakes made by the human drivers!)

Yeah but at least you're in control of your car and can avoid crashes yourself. It is true that I don't trust OTHER drivers and their human errors. How about everyone drives a self driving car but me?

 

[Kyng]

Yeah but at least you're in control of your car and can avoid crashes yourself. It is true that I don't trust OTHER drivers and their human errors. How about everyone drives a self driving car but me?

Eh, I'm not so sure I can (and I'm not sure that most people can)... most of us seem to think we're better drivers than we actually are .

Sadly for me, I don't have that kind of confidence!

 

[Nebulous]

most of us seem to think we're better drivers than we actually are .

I am a good driver

Although I have been in a couple accidents so maybe not.