As we see it: The pros and cons of autonomous vehicles in Seattle
Nov 10, 2017, 3:23 PM | Updated: 3:37 pm
Autonomous vehicles are apparently going to part of our lives whether we like it or not.
There are plenty of benefits. But also likely plenty of pitfalls to autonomous vehicles.
Let’s start with the pros:
No more road rage
We’ll no longer have to worry about getting worked-up drivers trying to run us off the road.
(Note: This photo is real)
Never have to take the kids to soccer practice
Tired of speeding from work to your kids’ school in order to pick them up for soccer practice, only to get stuck in traffic? Just have a driverless vehicle take them instead. More you time.
Fewer crashes
All that effort to reduce distracted driving will be irrelevant once we no longer have to be behind the wheel. You’ll be able to talk, text, snap, tweet, etc. to your heart’s content.
24/7 DD
You will no longer have to worry about whether you’ve had too much. With autonomous vehicles, you’ll be able to indulge in your favorite beverages all evening without having to drive home.
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There could be a downside to an autonomous future, however. If they were around today, the following could become a problem if we all shared driverless vehicles:
Mobile drug dens
While we’re all debating safe injection sites, it’s highly likely addicts will use and cruise behind closed doors.
Sit in other people’s garbage
If none of us own a vehicle, and there is no driver in the ones we use, who will clean the trash?
Good luck getting outdoors
That trail ten-plus miles off of I-90 sure seemed like a good day hike. Unfortunately, when your driverless car loses a GPS signal and shuts down you will spend the rest of the day waiting for rescue.
Vehicle gets hacked
There’s a reason some of us cover the camera on our computer, and it’s not because we’re shy. It’s been proven that remotely hacking a driverless vehicle is possible. Don’t end up in Elliott Bay.
