Self-driving cars, also called autonomous vehicles, are going to become a reality. There are several companies already producing and testing self-driving cars. Many people are concerned about the safety of these vehicles and wonder, will self-driving cars prevent accidents? Actually, safety is one of the main reasons these vehicles have been developed. Autonomous vehicles have many safety features built into them and are touted as being safer than traditional cars.

Safety Concerns

Autonomous vehicles are being created with safety in mind. However, there needs to be a lot more assessment that needs to be done. The NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is concerned about highway safety in the United States. They have committed to providing more than $4 billion dollars towards the development and testing of autonomous vehicles. They have already issued some general safety guidelines for autonomous cars, with updates to follow.

Help to Disabled Drivers

Self-driving cars will be a great help to drivers with disabilities, as well as older drivers. The cars will provide a higher level of safety because they are able to make better judgments and decisions than people can, in most cases. Of course, drivers will still need to know how to drive and be prepared to take over at any point in time. The laws and guidelines for obtaining a driver’s license will need to be reviewed and modified to accommodate the new vehicles.

Timeline for Autonomous Autos

While there are already some self-driving cars on the road as part of the testing process, they are still quite a long way off from becoming a popular mode of transportation. The public can expect to begin seeing these vehicles on the roads more over the next 10 to 15 years. It will take many years before a majority of vehicles will be autonomous. The number of accidents is expected to decline as the use of self-driving cars increases. Even so, there will still be some vehicle accidents. If you were involved in an accident with injuries that was not your fault, seek assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding Will Self-Driving Cars Prevent Accidents, or any other personal injury, please feel free to contact Brian T. Allen at  480.461.5335,  log on to udallshumway.com,  or contact an attorney in your area. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.