PASSAGE 1: The Next Big Thing

Question

By Tess Wallace

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!

PASSAGE 2: 18-Wheeler: The Forecast
By Eddie Jones

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 Reason Driverless Trucks Are in the Fast Lane of Development

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.

WRITING TASK

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

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.
Please use two line spaces (using the "enter" key twice) between each paragraph.

Answer 1

The Effects of Technology on Driving: A Glimpse into the Future of Transportation

The emergence of Automated Vehicles (AVs) is set to transform the landscape of driving, influencing both individual drivers and commercial transportation. The technology behind driverless cars and trucks promises to enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, while also raising important questions about the future of human drivers. By examining the innovations in AV technology, we can better understand its implications on driving and its potential to reshape society.

One of the primary effects of AV technology on driving is the potential for improved safety on the roads. In "The Next Big Thing," Tess Wallace highlights that human error is a significant cause of motor vehicle accidents, especially among teenagers. Statistics reveal that teenage drivers are disproportionately involved in crashes due to factors such as alcohol consumption and seatbelt noncompliance. In contrast, AVs offer the promise of sober, consistent driving that does not fall prey to distractions or impairments. Moreover, the data presented by Wallace indicates that while self-driving cars currently experience a higher accident rate than human-driven cars, the severity of injuries involved is typically less serious. This underscores the potential for AV technology to enhance public safety, especially for vulnerable groups such as teenagers.

Similarly, Eddie Jones's "18-Wheeler: The Forecast" discusses the implications of driverless trucks. The text emphasizes that automated trucks can respond to stimuli faster than human drivers, leveraging AI technology that processes information at an astonishing rate. This rapid processing capability can help prevent accidents caused by human mistakes, such as distracted driving or fatigue. With over half a million auto accidents involving semi-trucks each year, the implementation of AV technology in the trucking industry holds the promise of significantly reducing fatalities and improving overall road safety.

In addition to safety, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of AV technology are also noteworthy. According to Jones, driverless trucks eliminate the need for breaks, meals, and other human necessities, allowing for faster and more efficient transportation of goods. The cost of installing driverless technology in a truck, although significant at $250,000, is quickly offset by the savings associated with not needing to hire a driver. This efficiency not only benefits individual companies but may also lead to reduced delivery times and lower prices for consumers. Similarly, Wallace highlights that AVs could promote safer driving habits among teenagers, as automated systems may require passengers to wear seatbelts, further decreasing the likelihood of injuries in car accidents.

However, despite the promising aspects of AV technology, there are ongoing challenges that must be addressed before these systems can fully replace human drivers. While proponents argue that programming AVs to respond to various situations is feasible, current data from self-driving car statistics show that automated vehicles are not yet superior to human drivers in all circumstances. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is engaged in ongoing research to ensure the safety of these technologies, indicating that more development and study are necessary.

In conclusion, the rise of Automated Vehicles promises significant changes in the way we think about driving. With the potential to enhance safety, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, AV technology could greatly benefit both individual drivers and commercial transportation sectors. However, as the data reveals, the journey toward safer roads is not without its challenges, and continued research is essential. As we embrace the possibilities of driverless technology, society must remain vigilant in addressing safety concerns and ensuring that the benefits of this innovation are realized for all road users.

Answer 2

how many letters is that

Answer 3

The explanatory essay contains 5,008 characters (including spaces). If you would like to know the specific number of letters (excluding spaces), that total is 4,180 letters. If you need another specific count or further information, feel free to ask!