My Opposition to Automotive Autonomy
Autonomous vehicles are the new hot commodity in American society, and the potential effects of these cars’ release are highly controversial. Due to constant production and elaborate marketing strategies, the automotive industry has been attracting customers since the early twentieth century. Manufacturers are constantly updating automobiles, so consumers are always interested in the new styles and abilities of cars; which ultimately make their lives easier. In “I’m Not Sold on Self-Driving Cars”, author Mark Buchanan expresses his disapproval of the most sought-after release yet; autonomous automobiles. Buchanan is concerned that the presence of fully autonomous vehicles on public roadways will increase traffic, further complicating varying road conditions. Due to the fact that these cars operate from the technology within their programming, he also expresses safety and security concern. I believe that self driving cars could be beneficial to many people throughout our society. However, with the current science behind this developmental process, public roads are still too risky. Buchanan’s initial concern is that self driving cars will be customized luxuriously, causing additional traffic and road obstacles. Due to the steep price of autonomous vehicles, the market is limited to only the wealthy, who will likely be interested in customization and comfortability. The author claims that these larger self driving cars will result in “more miles driven, more congestion, and increased emissions” (1). Although these cars may, in fact, cause an increase in traffic, I find this issue to be of much less concern, because self driving cars will likely be powered by electricity. Buchanan’s second concern regards the safety of people on public roads. The author states, “unless human drivers are banned from the roads, they can create added dangers by driving aggressively … or by trying to insinuate themselves at high speed into sleek, synchronized groups of autonomous vehicles” (1). In other words, self-driving cars on public roadways would likely put lives at risk, because humans and technology are both imperfect. I agree with the validity of Buchanan’s observation, and I believe that this is one of the most important consequences of introducing self-driving cars to public roadways. I think it is dire that autonomous vehicles are thoroughly tested prior to being placed on roads with human drivers. In the situation that an autonomous vehicle wrecks into another object - or a person, who is liable? It is essential that this is considered prior to allowing these vehicles to potentially come into contact with human drivers. It should also be noted that road conditions are constantly varying. Have you ever encountered a police officer directing traffic at an intersection? What would happen if a self-driving car were to arrive at this sort of situation? It could potentially inflict serious harm to innocent people. Also, if you have ever utilized a global positioning system (GPS), you know that they aren’t always completely reliable. Most people can say that a GPS has gotten them lost, or has directed them onto an incorrect street at least once in their lives. These autonomous vehicles will regularly be accessing those same systems you have used before. It is my opinion that there is still much work to do before autonomous vehicles are prepared for public release. I believe that in order for fully autonomous vehicles to be released into the world, our roads must be physically changed. It would be beneficial for these cars to have access to their own designated lanes, …show more content…
He claims, “a hacked car could become a potent, remotely piloted weapon” (1). In other words, terrorists could hack into autonomous vehicles, and control multitudes of them at a time, potentially resulting in very serious consequences. Today’s society completely justifies that this is a necessary precaution to heed when observing new technology. These autonomous vehicles are large and powerful enough to cause sufficient harm, and terrorism is a legitimate concern. Based on my nineteen years of residence and citizenship to the United States of America, I believe that terrorism itself is a valid reason to keep these vehicles off of our roads. America faces terrorist threats and attacks shamefully often, which proves that these cars could do much more harm than
Autonomous vehicles are the new hot commodity in American society, and the potential effects of these cars’ release are highly controversial. Due to constant production and elaborate marketing strategies, the automotive industry has been attracting customers since the early twentieth century. Manufacturers are constantly updating automobiles, so consumers are always interested in the new styles and abilities of cars; which ultimately make their lives easier. In “I’m Not Sold on Self-Driving Cars”, author Mark Buchanan expresses his disapproval of the most sought-after release yet; autonomous automobiles. Buchanan is concerned that the presence of fully autonomous vehicles on public roadways will increase traffic, further complicating varying road conditions. Due to the fact that these cars operate from the technology within their programming, he also expresses safety and security concern. I believe that self driving cars could be beneficial to many people throughout our society. However, with the current science behind this developmental process, public roads are still too risky. Buchanan’s initial concern is that self driving cars will be customized luxuriously, causing additional traffic and road obstacles. Due to the steep price of autonomous vehicles, the market is limited to only the wealthy, who will likely be interested in customization and comfortability. The author claims that these larger self driving cars will result in “more miles driven, more congestion, and increased emissions” (1). Although these cars may, in fact, cause an increase in traffic, I find this issue to be of much less concern, because self driving cars will likely be powered by electricity. Buchanan’s second concern regards the safety of people on public roads. The author states, “unless human drivers are banned from the roads, they can create added dangers by driving aggressively … or by trying to insinuate themselves at high speed into sleek, synchronized groups of autonomous vehicles” (1). In other words, self-driving cars on public roadways would likely put lives at risk, because humans and technology are both imperfect. I agree with the validity of Buchanan’s observation, and I believe that this is one of the most important consequences of introducing self-driving cars to public roadways. I think it is dire that autonomous vehicles are thoroughly tested prior to being placed on roads with human drivers. In the situation that an autonomous vehicle wrecks into another object - or a person, who is liable? It is essential that this is considered prior to allowing these vehicles to potentially come into contact with human drivers. It should also be noted that road conditions are constantly varying. Have you ever encountered a police officer directing traffic at an intersection? What would happen if a self-driving car were to arrive at this sort of situation? It could potentially inflict serious harm to innocent people. Also, if you have ever utilized a global positioning system (GPS), you know that they aren’t always completely reliable. Most people can say that a GPS has gotten them lost, or has directed them onto an incorrect street at least once in their lives. These autonomous vehicles will regularly be accessing those same systems you have used before. It is my opinion that there is still much work to do before autonomous vehicles are prepared for public release. I believe that in order for fully autonomous vehicles to be released into the world, our roads must be physically changed. It would be beneficial for these cars to have access to their own designated lanes, …show more content…
He claims, “a hacked car could become a potent, remotely piloted weapon” (1). In other words, terrorists could hack into autonomous vehicles, and control multitudes of them at a time, potentially resulting in very serious consequences. Today’s society completely justifies that this is a necessary precaution to heed when observing new technology. These autonomous vehicles are large and powerful enough to cause sufficient harm, and terrorism is a legitimate concern. Based on my nineteen years of residence and citizenship to the United States of America, I believe that terrorism itself is a valid reason to keep these vehicles off of our roads. America faces terrorist threats and attacks shamefully often, which proves that these cars could do much more harm than