Georgia Injury Law Blog
With the increase in the number of driverless cars on our roads, there has been concern about the safety aspect of these vehicles, especially with Tesla’s spotty accident record with these cars. However, new data seems to show that Waymo driverless cars have a much better track record when it comes to safety.
Waymo recently published the results of a research paper which shows that the company’s driverless cars were involved in fewer auto accidents, compared to human-driven cars. The results were based on data involving more than 57 million incidents, compiled regardless of who was at fault in the accident. The analysis of the data found that even compared to human drivers, Waymo driverless taxis were involved in 92% fewer number of car accidents involving pedestrians. That’s encouraging news for transportation safety officials who have been looking for ways to reduce the number of pedestrians being killed in car accidents.
Waymo taxis also performed better in auto accidents involving motorcyclists and bicyclists. There were 82% fewer car accidents resulting in injuries involving motorcycles or bicycles and Waymo cars. There were also 96% fewer intersection accidents involving Waymo cars, and 85% fewer auto accidents involving serious injuries.
This data puts these taxis in direct contrast with Tesla’s Auto Pilots that were found to have been involved in at least 75 car accidents last year. All of these accidents involved the car either braking or yielding suddenly. These accidents also involved incidents in which the Tesla Auto Pilot veered suddenly from its lane. All of these are dangerous defects that can seriously increase the risk of injuries in a car accident.
The Governors Highway Safety Association has been monitoring the safety records of driverless cars, including both the Tesla Auto Pilot and the Waymo, and says that the safety data involving the Waymo is encouraging. Some of the earlier excitement about driverless cars and taxi seems to have dimmed a bit, especially since a wave of recent car accidents involving other driverless cars, including Tesla. The federal administration has already made it clear that it expects the safety record of these autonomous vehicles to be “near pristine” if these are going to replace human driven- cars.
Autonomous vehicles play a big part in the drive to make our roads safer for all. When auto safety technology works correctly, it can completely minimize the risk of human errors and keep both motorists as well as pedestrians and motorcyclists safer on our roads. However, it appears that Tesla’s Auto Pilot is not yet at that point and more work needs to be done.
The Atlanta auto accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in auto accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical costs, lost income and other types of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.