The debate over whether flying is safer than driving has been a longstanding discussion among travelers. Even though at one major crash per 7.7 million flights it’s clear that flying is safer, some drivers still argue that because they are in control of the vehicle and there’s less machinery involved it’s safer to drive. Regardless, as self-driving technology continues to develop, it promises to reshape our understanding of safety in travel. Learn everything you need to know about how autonomous vehicles are influencing safety on the road as compared to flying.
Believe it or not, self-driving is not a blanket term for vehicles. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are actually classified into several levels of automation, ranging from full human control to complete autonomy. Here’s a breakdown of the five types:
The development of AVs has accelerated in recent years with key players like Tesla, Waymo, and traditional automakers investing heavily in this research and technology. Currently, there are several cities testing AVs which offers a glimpse into the future of transportation.
One of the primary arguments for the widespread use of AVs is their potential for improving safety on the road. Traditional human-driven vehicles are naturally responsible for the majority of traffic accidents on roadways due to human error, distraction, or impairment from drugs or alcohol. AVs use advanced technology, rather than a human driver, such as cameras, sensors, and even artificial intelligence to map out a road and make real-time decisions, often better than a human.
Some studies suggest that AVs could reduce the risk of accidents and save the country billions of dollars that are spent after an accident occurs. Nearly all accidents are deemed to be caused by some level of human error, so by minimizing or eliminating the need for human input the number of accidents on the road could drastically decrease, perhaps to the point where flying is technically more dangerous.
While the technology behind autonomous vehicles shows great promise, the effectiveness of these vehicles will heavily depend on the infrastructure that supports them. Smart city initiatives, for example, which incorporate connected traffic systems and intelligent roadways will be vital for maximizing the safety and efficiency that AVs can offer. Traffic signals on these roads would be able to communicate with a vehicle directly in order to optimize traffic flow and completely reduce the risk of collisions.
Many existing infrastructures on the road do not currently support the seamless operation of a self-driving vehicle though. Whether it be outdated road designs, poorly maintained highways, or just a lack of communication technology, these issues can hinder the safety benefits of AVs. As this technology continues to progress, urban planners will need to prioritize updating and adapting infrastructure if they truly want to make AVs the safest method of transportation in existence.
The success of self-driving cars and their impact on travel safety will also hinge on public perception. Many people naturally have strong feelings about the safety of flying versus driving due to historical statistics and often simply viewing air travel as inherently safer due to rigorous regulations and industry standards. There are currently mixed opinions about self-driving vehicles, though, with concerns centered around cybersecurity, reliability of the vehicles, general safety, and not to mention the ethical decision-making component.
While interest in self-driving technology is bound to only increase, growing skepticism will also likely remain high. Whether those concerns are related to potential hacking, software failures, the morality of AVs, or anything else is irrelevant. Building public trust in these types of vehicles is the only surefire way to guarantee their widespread adoption and utilization, thus eventually making them safer than standard air travel.
As safety with self-driving cars begins to improve, it’s possible that you will start to see a shift in travel behavior where more and more people opt for road trips over flights. This shift could certainly impact the airline industry in major ways, forcing it to adapt to changing consumer preferences. Related industries such as insurance, logistics, and tourism may also be affected if driving becomes the preferred method of travel over flying, leading to more demand for services catered to self-driving road trips. Going further, it’s possible that even insurance models will need to be reevaluated as they would be nearly obsolete if self-driving technology were perfected.
The conversation surrounding the safety of flying versus the safety of driving is always evolving, but the advent of AVs is certainly the most momentous new wrinkle. While self-driving technology certainly holds the potential to make getting in a car safer than a plan by reducing human error and improving road safety, it’s critical to first address the issues of infrastructure, public perception, and widespread acceptance.
Autonomous vehicles could not only reshape our understanding of travel safety itself but completely change the way travel is thought about in general. Continued research and open dialogue will be the keys to navigating this exciting new method of travel.
