Weighing the Pros and Cons of Self-Driving Cars

Auto mechanic collegeConsidering the advances in technology that the world has seen in the past decade, it should not surprise anyone to learn that we are getting seriously close to the mainstream production and legalization of completely autonomous cars. Of course, many people view self-driving cars as an obvious next step for the auto industry. However, there are some who are frightened by the very thought of computers having complete control over vehicles, roads, traffic lights and more.

Students enrolled in automotive training centers might find themselves selling, servicing and building self-driving cars once they break into the field. If you plan to pursue an auto career, you’ll want to keep track of both the negative and positive viewpoints of autonomous vehicles.

Read on to learn some of the pros and cons associated with these futuristic cars.

Pro: The High Number of Car Crashes Might be Reduced

Research has shown that approximately 81 per cent of all car crashes are caused by human error. And while this does seem like a very high statistic, auto mechanic college graduates know that most of these crashes are usually a result of reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. This means that once cars are capable of completely driving themselves, the number of car accidents caused by human drivers should be drastically reduced. As of today, there is yet to be any serious incidents involving self-driving cars.

Con: Consumers Don’t Completely Trust Technology

Students taking auto mechanic courses understand that consumers lack trust in vehicles that are controlled by technology. In fact, this is one of the biggest challenges that the auto industry faces with regards to self-driving cars. Some of the most common driver concerns include privacy, safety, and whether or not these machines will be easy for hackers to tamper with.

Pro: Individuals with Disabilities Would Gain Independence

Individuals with disabilities would undoubtedly benefit from autonomous vehicles. This is mainly because these individuals will no longer have to rely on assistance from friends and family or public transportation. In fact, self-driving cars would provide people who have disabilities with tons of freedom, independence and the ability to travel exactly where they want by car.

Con: Consumers Fear the Hacking Potential Associated with Self-Driving Cars

Professionals in auto careers know that one of the most common fears associated with self-driving vehicles is the possibility of hackers having the ability to take control of cars. Considering that hackers have managed to hijack phones, navigation systems and wireless baby monitors, it’s no surprise that hackers would definitely be interested in gaining control of an autonomous car to potentially steal it. Of course, automakers have considered this, and are currently developing safety measure that will hopefully detract hackers.

Do you think self-driving cars are a good idea? Do the risks outweigh the benefits?

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