You’ve probably noticed a dozen Teslas each day. Self-driving cars may even become the new normal, bringing hope to the roads that driving will be safer now more than ever.
While manufacturers promise that “self-driving” cars are safe, they are still far from perfect. One minor flaw can put drivers and bystanders alike in danger. Here’s what you should know
1. Driverless cars can be hacked
Like any new technology, someone eventually will find a way to hack into a driverless car. They could take a self-driving car for a joyride or they may alter the destination of a trip. Whatever the case, putting your trust that the driverless car next to you knows what it’s doing may not guarantee you’ll be safe.
2. Manufacturers are only human
While technology may appear flawless, it’s still created by people who are still only human – and that could mean a self-driving car could be flawed. There could be missing lines of code that prevent an autonomous car from driving on the sidewalk. Or, there could be an error in its sensors that causes it to drive into other cars.
3. Weather is unpredictable
Speaking of sensors, self-driving cars rely heavily on their sensors to see what’s around them and predict the actions of other drivers. In rain, fog or snow, however, these sensors may be disrupted, causing confusion. A self-driving car could suddenly stop in front of you if its sensors are suddenly obstructed.
4. Battery flaws are a danger to everyone
While a car fully powered by battery power alone can be appealing, cut gas prices, and create an eco-friendly environment, it may not be as safe as people like to think. If a battery takes on too much heat, it could suddenly combust. An exploding battery can put anyone around it in danger of injuries.
If you were recently injured because of a self-driving car, you may need to know your options to recover from your losses and medical bills.
