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.

10000 word essay

Answer 1

The Impact of Technology on Driving: A Focus on Automated Vehicles

The evolution of technology is revolutionizing numerous aspects of daily life, and the realm of transportation is no exception. Automated vehicles (AVs), including both driverless cars and trucks, represent a significant leap forward, promising to transform driving by enhancing safety, efficiency, and accessibility. As various industries increasingly adopt these technologies, it is essential to examine their implications and assess the ongoing developments shaping the future of driving.

From a safety perspective, the primary justification for automated vehicle technology is the substantial potential to reduce accidents. According to "The Next Big Thing" by Tess Wallace, the majority of automobile accidents are attributed to human errors, such as drunk driving and distraction (Wallace). For instance, more than half of injuries and fatalities among teenage drivers are linked to alcohol consumption. Automated vehicles, managed by supercomputers, are immune to such impairments, raising hopes for a future where drunk driving becomes obsolete. By ensuring compliance with safety measures like seat belt use, AVs can further mitigate risks that contribute to teenage driving fatalities.

Similarly, in Eddie Jones's “18-Wheeler: The Forecast,” the focus shifts to the trucking industry, where human error is a significant cause of accidents. Jones asserts that over half a million auto accidents each year involve semi-trucks, many resulting from mistakes made by human drivers. In contrast, computers operate with consistent precision and do not succumb to distractions or fatigue, highlighting the potential for a drastic reduction in truck-related fatalities with the integration of driverless technology.

Another significant dimension to consider is the efficiency that automated vehicles offer, particularly in commercial applications. According to Jones, automated trucks can operate 24/7 without breaks for food or rest, ultimately transporting goods more swiftly and effectively than their human counterparts. This not only enhances productivity but also results in financial savings for companies as they avoid the recurring expenses associated with human drivers. The billion-dollar price tag for driverless technology may seem excessive; however, in less than five years, the cost becomes justifiable when compared to the continual salary of a human driver. Furthermore, the fuel efficiency of automated trucks underscores their economic viability; computers can maintain a steady speed and exhibit smoother driving patterns, proving to be more environmentally friendly in the long run.

While the advantages of AV technology are compelling, it is crucial to acknowledge the current challenges that hinder their universal applicability. Wallace points out that, despite theoretical safety improvements, self-driving cars have higher accident rates compared to human-operated vehicles. The statistics presented in her article illustrate that there were 9.1 accidents per million miles driven by automated vehicles, in contrast to 4.1 accidents for traditional vehicles. This discrepancy reflects the ongoing need for technological development and rigorous testing before driverless cars can replace human drivers fully.

The transition to automated vehicles presents societal implications, particularly concerning the traditional experience of learning to drive. For many teenagers in the United States, obtaining a driver's license marks a critical step toward independence. As Wallace notes, the widespread adoption of driverless technology could diminish the significance of this rite of passage. There are indications that AVs could lead to a shift in societal norms around driving, potentially impacting not just teenagers but also the dynamics within families, as parents may no longer need to teach their children to drive.

In conclusion, the advancement of automated vehicle technology holds the promise of transforming the landscape of transportation significantly. Both Tess Wallace and Eddie Jones provide insights into the safety, efficiency, and challenges associated with this technology. While there is a strong potential for reduced accidents and improved logistics, it is essential to navigate the ongoing developmental hurdles and societal changes that will arise as AVs become more prevalent. As we move toward a future with driverless cars and trucks, monitoring the integration of these innovations not only aids in understanding their effects but also prepares us for the changes to come in the way we navigate our world.