Incomplete Data Speaks On Self-Driving Tech Leaves More Questions Then Answers

June 19, 2022
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report of data on self-driving and driver-assist technologies from the last month of collecting data and while there is information to be gleaned from the report, the incomplete data set does not give safety experts enough information to draw any conclusions from.  In fact, without information on the sample size or miles driven, it is impossible to know if these vehicles that employ these types of technology will be any more or less likely to get into a New Haven auto accident when they are fully operational on our roads.

With that being said, with a technology that is still in somewhat of it’s infancy, like self-driving cars, it is important to have early data to look at and continue to investigate the safety and security of these vehicles as they begin to populate our roads.  Without a clear understanding of how safe or not safe these vehicles are it will be hard for safety evaluators to draw any clear conclusions on whether or not we should be sharing the road with these vehicles in the first place.  With that in mind, here is some data from the study that may be informative for those interested in potentially employing this tech on a regular basis;

1.) There were 367 traffic accidents that involved driver-assist technologies

2.) Of the 367 crashes, 273 involved a Tesla using either the Tesla auto-pilot system or full self-driving software

3.) 130 crashes involved systems that were fully automated, many of which were a part of a fleet of Robotaxis operated by Waymo

4.) 43% of all reported crashes occurred in California where much of this technology is being piloted and refined

You may be driving through the streets of New Haven and see Teslas that are passing you by as these cars have become more and more common on the road.  There is incomplete data to determine whether, when used in their auto-pilot mode they are any safer or more dangerous then with a human behind the wheel, but it should be noted that this type of technology is currently in vehicles that are on the road.  As of now, given the current rules of the road, all you can do is maintain a safe driving distance from these vehicles and obey the speed limits to insure that you will not get into a New Haven auto accident with them.   As more data becomes available on this technology it may become more regulated and understood more.

Whether you’re in an accident with a driverless car or with a human behind the wheel, one thing is for sure that the injury you sustain should be accounted for with your insurance company.  As experienced attorneys we have worked on all types of cases and are happy to work with you to protect your long-term interests.  Contact our office today.