Automated Vehicles (AVs) are becoming more common. Technology plays a large part in driverless vehicles.

Question

Think about the ideas in the two passages, and then write an explanatory essay in your own words about the effects technology is having on driving.

Be sure to use information from BOTH texts in your explanatory essay. Write your answer in the space provided.

Before you write, be sure to:

think about ideas, facts, definitions, details, and other information and examples you want to use;
think about how you will introduce your topic and what the main topic will be for each paragraph;
develop your ideas clearly and use your own words, except when quoting directly from the source texts;
be sure to identify the sources by title or number when using details or facts directly from the sources.
Now write your explanatory essay in the space provided. Be sure to:

use information from the two texts so that your essay includes important details;
introduce the topic clearly, provide a focus, and organize information in a way that makes sense;
develop the topic with facts, definitions, details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic;
use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion;
clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts;
use clear language and vocabulary to inform about the topic;
provide a conclusion that follows the information presented; and
check your work for correct grammar, usage, capitalization, spelling, and punctuation. It’s become a rite of passage in the United States. Somewhere around the age of sixteen, teenagers often get their driver’s license and move one step closer to adulthood. Thanks to the invention of the automobile this phenomenon has been commonplace for the last century. Teens get licensed and often find new freedom and independence from their parents, but this may all change soon. Drivers may not need licenses because we may be living in a world of cars controlled by supercomputers. Experts argue that this will change society for the better and be an especially positive move forward in the world of transportation and teens.

Driverless cars, also known as Automated Vehicles (AV), are on the cusp of taking over our roadways. Several companies are developing these high-tech vehicles. They claim they will solve the problems associated with teen drivers. These lofty assertions have led to one big question: How safe are driverless cars?

There are obvious safety advantages to a supercomputer controlling a vehicle rather than a teenager. To begin with, computers don’t consume alcohol. More than half of the injuries and deaths of teens due to auto accidents were alcohol related. Proponents of the driverless car note that drunk driving could quickly become a non-issue. Sober computers could save countless lives.

Another large contributor to teen deaths in car accidents is due to a failure to wear seatbelts. Nearly half of the teens between the ages of 16-19 that were killed in crashes in 2018 were unrestrained. With driverless cars, passengers may be required to buckle up while the car is in operation. This could encourage seat belt use among teens.

Human error is the primary cause of motor vehicle accidents. The fact that human driving errors are a leading cause of crashes is precisely why developers of the AV believe that driverless cars have the potential to be safer. They argue that computers don’t make errors. Technology is consistent and reliable when programmed to complete tasks. They believe that the challenge is in programming automated vehicles to know how to respond to every possible situation it may face. Developers claim this is possible.

The data is indisputable—teenage drivers are involved in and die more often in automobile accidents than drivers in any other age group. Yet, it is also clear that while supercomputers may have the potential to be safer drivers than humans, automated vehicles are not safer yet. According to Maria Martin in her article, 29 Must-Know Self-Driving Statistics, published in February of 2021, “…self-driving cars have a higher rate of accidents compared to human-driven cars, but the injuries are less serious. On average, there are 9.1 self-driving car accidents per million miles driven, while the same rate is 4.1 crashes per million miles for regular vehicles.”

It is crucial that driverless technology continue to be developed and studied. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government entity responsible for highway safety, is committed to that cause. They are actively studying this issue and working alongside the creators of automated vehicles to ensure public safety. They are determined to answer the question, “Who is a safer driver? Humans or computers?” Until then...teens, keep practicing for that driving test! Driverless trucks and AV (Automated Vehicles) are controlled by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) supercomputer. This computer takes in outside stimulus from sensors, cameras, and tech devices strapped to the outside of the truck and processes all the information at a rate that is fifteen times faster than the average human. They have their own Wi-Fi system within the truck so that they are not at risk of losing a signal and compromising their entire system. With features like these, it’s easy to wonder if the robots really are taking over and why we may or may not want them to do so.

It may surprise you to hear the primary motivators for corporations to use automated trucks rather than those operated by real humans—companies are pushing for more reliable technology in automated trucks so that they can convert to driverless fleets. Why do they want driverless fleets? There are three main reasons—cost, efficiency, and safety. The average cost for the driverless technology on these big rigs is $250,000. At first glance, a quarter of a million dollars for a vehicle sounds outrageous. Surprisingly though, it pales in comparison to the cost of hiring and paying a driver for several years. When the annual salary and benefit packages are combined, the cost of the driverless technology pays for itself in less than five years.

In addition, a driverless truck doesn’t have the limits a human does. There is no need to stop for food or sleep, and a truck doesn’t need sick days or vacation days. Therefore, an automated truck can transport cargo twice as fast and complete three times more driving in a week than a truck operated by a human. An added bonus is that these automated trucks are not only time efficient, but they are also fuel efficient by keeping a steady speed and driving straighter. In contrast, a human driver can be a gas guzzler with even minor inconsistencies in braking and steering. All of these efficiencies affect a company’s profit margin and save businesses money by giving them quicker services for less cost.

Last, experts believe that the technology of driverless trucks has the potential to save human lives. You might wonder, “How can a computer possibly be safer than a human?” The answer lies not in what a computer can do, but rather in what humans do. Humans make mistakes. Sadly, in the world of trucking, those errors often result in fatalities. Unlike human drivers, computers don’t drive drunk or text while driving, they don’t fall asleep or get distracted, and they have consistent and reliable responses to stimuli. Humans do not. Over half a million auto accidents each year—or one in every eight automobile accidents—involve a semi-truck. The creators working on driverless technology believe that they will soon be able to offer a product with much better safety statistics. It seems that they are definitely moving in that direction, and it won’t be a matter of if we see a truck cruising along side us missing a driver, but just a matter of when we will see an empty cab.

Answer 1

Technology is fundamentally changing the landscape of driving, as evidenced by the rise of Automated Vehicles (AVs) and driverless technology. These advancements promise to redefine our relationship with transportation, particularly impacting teen drivers and commercial trucking. As experts continue to explore the implications of this technology, the safety advantages, efficiency gains, and potential societal changes warrant thorough examination.

First and foremost, safety is a significant concern when considering the transition to driverless vehicles. The current statistics regarding teen drivers illustrate a pressing problem; they are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents compared to any other age group. Alcohol consumption and failure to wear seatbelts are leading contributors to these tragic incidents. A study cited in the passage indicates that more than half of teen fatalities in auto accidents were alcohol-related. In contrast, AVs, operated by advanced AI systems, inherently eliminate issues like drunk driving. The proponents of AV technology argue that sober computers can drastically reduce the risk of accidents associated with human error, which is estimated to be the primary cause of motor vehicle collisions. As AVs become more prevalent and sophisticated, they may significantly enhance road safety, shielding young passengers from the risks that come with inexperienced drivers.

Furthermore, the technology behind AVs is already making strides in addressing concerns surrounding human limitations. According to the information provided, AVs can process data fifteen times faster than an average human. This speed advantage allows for rapid responses to road conditions, potentially preventing crashes before they occur. However, the current state of driverless technology is not without its challenges. Although research indicates that AVs have a higher rate of minor accidents compared to human-driven vehicles, the injuries tend to be less severe. This paradox highlights the ongoing development needed in this field, emphasizing the need for continued studies that analyze situations requiring split-second decisions.

In addition to safety, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of AVs, particularly in commercial settings, illustrate another vital aspect of this technology's impact on driving. Companies are increasingly drawn to the benefits of automated trucks, which eliminate the need for human drivers and significantly enhance operational efficiency. Automated trucks can function without breaks for food or sleep, allowing them to complete deliveries more quickly and with lower fuel costs due to their ability to maintain a steady speed. The initial investment in driverless technology—approximately $250,000—pales in comparison to the long-term savings on salaries and operational disruptions associated with human drivers. Therefore, businesses see AV technology as not just a safety improvement but also a pathway to increased productivity and profitability.

While advocates for AVs highlight the numerous advantages of eliminating human drivers, it is important to recognize the responsibility of developers and regulators to ensure public safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) actively researches and collaborates with AV creators to address safety concerns. As technology progresses, the question of who is ultimately the safer driver—humans or computers—remains a crucial focus. Until a consensus is reached, it is essential for young drivers to continue gaining experience behind the wheel while technological advancements evolve.

In conclusion, the impact of technology on driving is profound and multi-faceted, with driverless vehicles poised to redefine the future of transportation. Safety improvements, increased efficiency, and potential economic benefits are compelling reasons to welcome the rise of AVs. However, ongoing research and development are critical to ensuring that these vehicles can truly deliver on their promises. As society stands on the brink of this automotive revolution, recognizing the value of both human experience and technological innovation will be crucial in navigating the roads ahead.