Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars

Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by schintan on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @12:09PM (#13366478)

When I drive, at least I am in control. I don't give any thoughts to accident statistics. A self driving car may become safer statistically, but I don't see myself in a self driving car that is safer on an average but still has a non-zero chance of getting me in an accident.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by ygjb-dupe on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @01:49PM (#13367674)

No, you are not. You have an illusion of control over your vehicle, and while you may have a measure of operability, the actual control of your vehicle is depending on the correct functioning of the software and hardware that manages the various controls in your car (gas pedal, steering wheel, brakes, etc), and the efficacy of your operation of the vehicle is entirely dependent on the driving conditions, including other drivers, weather, wildlife, etc.

In fairness, your operation of the vehicle has a substantial impact on the outcome of operating the vehicle, the the decision loop that your brain implements while driving is largely incapable of effectively processing and executing on the volume of information and variables that are in play in the circumstances that lead to high speed collisions.

Anecdotally you might feel in control, but it is probably worth noting that most people, drunk or sober, tired on fully awake, fully alert or texting, felt like they were in control when they were suddenly the cause of, or involved in a collision.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by funkymike on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @01:17PM (#13367292)

I am reading this as preferring that if you are in an accident it is at least your fault rather than the fault of a self driving system. However, there are far more drivers on the road than you. Turn this around to be other other party.

So now you are in an accident caused by someone else. If that accident would have been prevented had they turned on the automated driving system that is in their vehicle, then do you still prefer this? Is having someone to blame really worth being in an accident that would not have happened if the computer was in control?

So, is it truly reasonable for you to refuse to engage the self-driving system in your car, putting other people on the road at greater risk?

I wonder if there will be increased liability, both financial (insurance) and legal, when someone willingly chooses to take control in a situation that would be well-handled by their self driving vehicle.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by yoz-y on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @12:14PM (#13366543)

There will never be a non-zero chance of getting into accident. But if the car is a safer driver than you then it is a net win.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by schintan on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @12:39PM (#13366851)

Factually that may be true, but its a matter of belief. When I drive, I am 100% confident that I will not get into an accident. A self driving car with <100% safety is a net loss in my mind.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by Al-Khwarizmi on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @12:59PM (#13367089)

If you are 100% confident that you won't have an accident, you're deluding yourself. Unexpected phenomena like an animal crossing the road, a drunk or reckless driver driving against traffic or barging in from an intersection where you have the priority, etc. can get anyone.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by tbrownaw on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @01:43PM (#13367603)

If you are 100% confident that you won't have an accident, you're deluding yourself.

So? That's something humans tend to do, and anyone trying to sell self-driving cars will have to account for it.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by yoz-y on Wednesday January 11, 2017 @04:14AM (#13372730)

I think that when, at some point, it will be proven that driverless cars are safer then the regulators should come in and simply ban humans from driving vehicles that do not expressly require to do "weird stuff".

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by funkymike on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @01:20PM (#13367347)

Beliefs like this are what get people killed. People think they can drive safely far above the speed limit. People think they can drive safely in adverse conditions at unsafe speeds. They are wrong and get themselves and others maimed and killed every day. Their complete confidence doesn't save them, but is the root of the problem.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by hx87 on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @01:17PM (#13367298)

Then maybe you should update your belief instead of deluding yourself.

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by maverick_iceman on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @01:15PM (#13367270)

You fly, don't you?

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Re:Let’s Talk About Self-Driving Cars by stale2002 on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @02:06PM (#13367863)

Have you ever been in a taxi? You aren't in control there.

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