The statistics are actually difficult to get. But studies DO show that humans really cannot put their attention on more than one thing… at least when one of them is driving. Even using voice control makes you a more dangerous driver. And forget about taking or making a phone call… because of the distraction of the conversation, not because of moving your eyes off the road (which doesn’t help, of course).
While I’m stopped at a traffic light, I keep an eye on vehicles coming up behind me, making sure they’re slowing down to stop. It’s AMAZING (and disturbing) how often I see the drivers nodding their head down, glancing at their phone, as they approach me.
Just wait til the cars start calling the cops because you’ve been speeding, or eating while driving, or you just came out of the bar and you’re a little tipsy. Or worse, the cars shut down because of one of those things.
I know I’m in the minority, but as I age, the idea of a self-driving car becomes more attractive. I assume within the next 20 years or so, I’ll have to give up my license. There is only limited public transportation here (like most of the US), which leaves only poor options for non-driving seniors. Dial-a-Ride services are spotty and extremely slow. Uber/Lyft becomes the only other dependable option — nd you’d be surprised how many communities have neither those nor taxi services. Having a self-driving car would allow me to remain independent a good bit longer.
I’m surprised they still have humans piloting airplanes. Self-driving cars are one thing, where there are a million other cars, pedestrians, wildlife, icy roads, etc. The skies are still empty enough that there are few things for airplanes to run into. I’m REALLY surprised that fighter planes are still piloted by humans: A fighter plane’s agility is limited by the fact that the pilot has to survive the manoeuvres (high G-loads can kill a pilot or cause him to black out).
What is also dangerous is when a person is driving and the children with you are arguing and yelling at each other. At least, now a days they are tied down with seat belts, so they can’t come to blows. ;-)
Rat’s thinking people can do two things simultaneously brings to mind Christopher Fry’s character in The Lady’s Not for Burning, the biddy who complains, “You can’t expect me to be Christian in two directions at once.”
Listen to the 1950 old time radio program Dimension X, episode titled “With Folded Hands”. That alone is enough to convince us not to rely too heavily on technology takeover.
All you have to do to drive safely is assume all the other drivers are drunk, drugged, crazy and/or out to kill you. That last covers “self-driving” and “AI controlled” vehicles perfectly.
My sister totalled her car and had to get a loaner. The loaner has lane assist, which takes over and brings the car back if you stray out of your lane.
Problem: She lives in the country, and farmers drive wide loads down her road, which means she has to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid them. Lane assist takes over and puts the car back on target for the farm equipment to her, and there’s no way to override it. She has to pull over and stop every time she sees a farmer coming.
I feel much safer when crossing a street with self driving cars on the road. Barring a major computer service outage or multiple faulty sensors you can always be sure the car sees you when you have to catch the eye of a human driver if you can even see into the car. Self driving cars mostly get in trouble for being too cautious, particularly in unique situations like crime scenes or at fires where areas have been taped off or require unmarked detours. So self driving cars might take longer (they don’t speed, etc) but they are generally more trustworthy and easy to predict if you are a pedestrian.
While automatic cars can and do make mistakes, the last time I checked, on a per-mile comparison they are already safer than the average human drive, so there’s that.
I have blue tooth hearing aids, I can get calls and make calls without touching my phone. It’s such a relief driving, I can avoid all of the other crazies reading and talking on their handset.
hariseldon59 about 1 month ago
Like walk and chew gum.
BasilBruce about 1 month ago
For this same reason, I hope there are never flying cars.
Concretionist about 1 month ago
The statistics are actually difficult to get. But studies DO show that humans really cannot put their attention on more than one thing… at least when one of them is driving. Even using voice control makes you a more dangerous driver. And forget about taking or making a phone call… because of the distraction of the conversation, not because of moving your eyes off the road (which doesn’t help, of course).
sirbadger about 1 month ago
I can’t watch the road, watch other cars, watch pedestrians, and watch my speedometer all at the same time.
jpsomebody about 1 month ago
Self driving cars can’t replace us, until they start exhibiting road rage also.
David_the_CAD about 1 month ago
People who look at their cell phone while driving, are letting a computer drive their car.
“Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.” Arthur Weasley
MeanBob Premium Member about 1 month ago
Hey Rat, are you willing to bet your life on that?
Keno21 about 1 month ago
I personally believe, that until such time as Microsoft makes a vacuum cleaner, they will not have a product that does not suck.
ImDaRealAni about 1 month ago
May I suggest moving away from the sidewalk there? xD
iggyman about 1 month ago
Now they have autonomous tractor trailers, talk about scary!
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member about 1 month ago
Given the state of AI the main thing we have to worry about self driving cars are con artists trying to convince us they’re ready.
Purple People Eater about 1 month ago
I read that the first time they tested a self-driving car in real traffic, it was in an accident.
Guy from southern Indiana about 1 month ago
While I’m stopped at a traffic light, I keep an eye on vehicles coming up behind me, making sure they’re slowing down to stop. It’s AMAZING (and disturbing) how often I see the drivers nodding their head down, glancing at their phone, as they approach me.
Gent about 1 month ago
Instead of steenky dangerous self driving cars why not they use technology to disable phone when car moving?
Robert Miller Premium Member about 1 month ago
Just wait til the cars start calling the cops because you’ve been speeding, or eating while driving, or you just came out of the bar and you’re a little tipsy. Or worse, the cars shut down because of one of those things.
cdward about 1 month ago
I know I’m in the minority, but as I age, the idea of a self-driving car becomes more attractive. I assume within the next 20 years or so, I’ll have to give up my license. There is only limited public transportation here (like most of the US), which leaves only poor options for non-driving seniors. Dial-a-Ride services are spotty and extremely slow. Uber/Lyft becomes the only other dependable option — nd you’d be surprised how many communities have neither those nor taxi services. Having a self-driving car would allow me to remain independent a good bit longer.
up2trixx about 1 month ago
I’m surprised they still have humans piloting airplanes. Self-driving cars are one thing, where there are a million other cars, pedestrians, wildlife, icy roads, etc. The skies are still empty enough that there are few things for airplanes to run into. I’m REALLY surprised that fighter planes are still piloted by humans: A fighter plane’s agility is limited by the fact that the pilot has to survive the manoeuvres (high G-loads can kill a pilot or cause him to black out).
bopacasa about 1 month ago
I would vote for Charles Manson before Kamala
Ellis97 about 1 month ago
I’ll never drive.
SALUDADOG about 1 month ago
Two things at a time is my limit. That’s why I never text while drinking and driving.
SeanT about 1 month ago
I’m all in favor of self-driving cars…..for everybody else. I’m a great driver, it’s all those other nuts that scare me
rshive about 1 month ago
Humans CAN do two things at once. Just not well.
Steverino Premium Member about 1 month ago
Reminds me of the old story:
Passengers get on a new airplane and hear this announcement:
“This is a fully automated airplane. There is no pilot or copilot on board. This airplane is completely run by computer. Nothing can go wrong”
Goat from PBS about 1 month ago
I don’t know how safety can by tied to clicking a cell phone.
monya_43 about 1 month ago
What is also dangerous is when a person is driving and the children with you are arguing and yelling at each other. At least, now a days they are tied down with seat belts, so they can’t come to blows. ;-)
Kurtass Premium Member about 1 month ago
In a small town paper near me, they give the court cases. “Texting while driving” violations have surpassed “seat belt” violations.
diskus Premium Member about 1 month ago
The key to autonomous cars and highwayys will be that human drivers get no where near the road
Munch about 1 month ago
We’ll continue to kill each other in cars until the computers are given a turn to kill us. Woohoo!
royq27 about 1 month ago
Hey, I’m reading this while going to the store for milk…
el_eye about 1 month ago
Does Rat have 3 legs ??
win.45mag about 1 month ago
You wanna impress ME, Rat, YOU take the wheel.
HOTLOTUS1 about 1 month ago
set cruise, drive with your knee, drink coffee, roll a doobie, put on your make up, smoke a cig. all possible
emoten9323 about 1 month ago
Rat’s thinking people can do two things simultaneously brings to mind Christopher Fry’s character in The Lady’s Not for Burning, the biddy who complains, “You can’t expect me to be Christian in two directions at once.”
ladykat about 1 month ago
Sounds like a plan.
Queen of America about 1 month ago
I hate to drive. Never liked it as a teenager. For me, it’s a necessary evil.
KEA about 1 month ago
If done properly… I think it could be wonderful for the elderly.
whelan_jj about 1 month ago
I’d worry more about those coming out of the local bar.
rossevrymn about 1 month ago
People are weird. Computer driven cars, sans hacking, much safer than humanity. I’m an auto insurance agent. I know.
mousefumanchu Premium Member about 1 month ago
And now you’ve got to mix marijuana into that group.
elgrecousa Premium Member about 1 month ago
Driving and checking their cell phone are definitely not two things humans can do simultaneously.
asmbeers about 1 month ago
Small electric self-driving cars would be a boon to the disabled.
zeexenon about 1 month ago
I’m in love with my Google Maps lady. But, don’t tell Alexa.
markkahler52 about 1 month ago
Will the self-driving cars have inertial dampeners? Asking for several friends….
billdaviswords about 1 month ago
New DMV rules (based on driving habits):
Yellow Light: means “hurry up and go”
Red Light: means “5 more cars may go”
Green Light: means “stop and wait for the 5 cars”
Rich_Pa about 1 month ago
Computers crash.
michael3114 about 1 month ago
I refer to be able to react to the stupid people on the roads. I don’t trust a computer to notice the subtle warning signs of stupid drivers.
minty_Joe about 1 month ago
Listen to the 1950 old time radio program Dimension X, episode titled “With Folded Hands”. That alone is enough to convince us not to rely too heavily on technology takeover.
unfair.de about 1 month ago
Humans can fail at uncountable things at once.
JLChi about 1 month ago
I’d love to have self-driving cars take over the roads. I don’t trust humans. Plus, I hate to drive, mostly because I have to dodge other humans.
Buoy about 1 month ago
Problem is, who built the computers?
JPuzzleWhiz about 1 month ago
Just not while driving, right Rat?
Bilan about 1 month ago
Why not combine the best of both situations and have the cell phone drive the car?
eddi-TBH about 1 month ago
All you have to do to drive safely is assume all the other drivers are drunk, drugged, crazy and/or out to kill you. That last covers “self-driving” and “AI controlled” vehicles perfectly.
Algolei I about 1 month ago
My sister totalled her car and had to get a loaner. The loaner has lane assist, which takes over and brings the car back if you stray out of your lane.
Problem: She lives in the country, and farmers drive wide loads down her road, which means she has to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid them. Lane assist takes over and puts the car back on target for the farm equipment to her, and there’s no way to override it. She has to pull over and stop every time she sees a farmer coming.
Arghhgarrr Premium Member about 1 month ago
I feel much safer when crossing a street with self driving cars on the road. Barring a major computer service outage or multiple faulty sensors you can always be sure the car sees you when you have to catch the eye of a human driver if you can even see into the car. Self driving cars mostly get in trouble for being too cautious, particularly in unique situations like crime scenes or at fires where areas have been taped off or require unmarked detours. So self driving cars might take longer (they don’t speed, etc) but they are generally more trustworthy and easy to predict if you are a pedestrian.
Ichner about 1 month ago
While automatic cars can and do make mistakes, the last time I checked, on a per-mile comparison they are already safer than the average human drive, so there’s that.
sincavage05 about 1 month ago
I have blue tooth hearing aids, I can get calls and make calls without touching my phone. It’s such a relief driving, I can avoid all of the other crazies reading and talking on their handset.
Strawberry King about 1 month ago
I’m with Goat. I’d be real nervous to ride one too.
Swirls Before Pine about 1 month ago
You’re overlooking the most failure-prone component of any vehicle: the nut that holds the wheel.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] about 1 month ago
Jerry Lewis will now sing “Sunday Driving”.