Self-driving cars: What you need to know

Autonomous vehicles, more commonly known as self-driving cars, are a hot topic of discussion. While the potential benefits are tremendous, many are skeptical of the upcoming vehicle technology. “Much like the fear of flying, Americans are hesitant about the idea of giving up control of the vehicle,” said Greg Brannon, director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations for AAA National.

Here are some answers to common questions about autonomous vehicles, or AVs, to help ease your worries.

What is an autonomous vehicle?

It’s a vehicle that’s fully self-driving. Imagine a car without gas and brake pedals and a steering wheel. It’s a vehicle that can drive itself, without any human guidance. AVs use cameras and GPS technology to get to and from locations.

What are the benefits?

The rollout of AVs on our roadways could produce many positive changes and benefits. More than 35,000 people die on America’s roadways each year, and more than 90 percent of those crashes are due to human error. The introduction of AVs on roadways could lower that number by up to 80 percent, experts have estimated. In addition to traffic safety, AVs could offer greater mobility options to the disabled and elderly.

AVs could also stimulate energy and environmental benefits for our nation’s surface transportation system. There could be reduced vehicle emissions, reduced travel times and improved transportation system efficiency. “The introduction of AVs will be an evolution not a revolution,” said Brannon.

How will AVs be regulated?

The federal and state governments are actively regulating the production of AVs through the Federal Automated Vehicles Policy. AVs will have to pass all safety standards before being introduced to roadways.

Consumers should be aware they’re already driving next to vehicles with advanced automotive technology. “If you think of autonomous vehicles on a scale from level zero to level five, you can purchase a vehicle up to level two,” said Brannon. Current vehicle technology includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and self-parking and lane-keeping assist. Those are the building blocks toward fully self-driving cars.

When can we expect to see AVs on our roadways?

“With the average age of a vehicle on the road being over 11.5 years, it will be decades before the full impact of AVs will be seen,” said Brannon. AAA will continue to monitor the production of AVs in order to keep members well informed, but members should rest assured that AVs won’t be rolled out until they are well-tested and safety-approved.