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.

Companies developing automated trucks believe that they can reduce the number of semi-truck related fatalities by eliminating human errors.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: The Rise of Automated Vehicles

In recent years, technology has dramatically transformed the landscape of driving, introducing Automated Vehicles (AVs) that promise to reshape both personal and commercial transportation. As outlined in the passages by Tess Wallace, “The Next Big Thing,” and Eddie Jones, “18-Wheeler: The Forecast,” the emergence of driverless cars and trucks presents a multitude of potential benefits including enhanced safety, improved efficiency, and substantial cost savings. However, these advancements also raise questions about their current safety effectiveness and the future implications for human drivers.

One of the most significant potential advantages of AVs is safety. According to Wallace, human error is responsible for a substantial number of automotive accidents, particularly amongst teenagers who are often involved in fatal crashes due to factors such as impaired driving and failure to wear seatbelts. Utilizing supercomputers to control vehicles could drastically reduce these incidents, as computers do not engage in risky behavior like drinking or texting while driving. They operate based on programmed algorithms, potentially leading to fewer tragic accidents. Similarly, Jones highlights that driverless trucks are designed to eliminate dangerous human behaviors, proposing that they could save lives by preventing fatalities associated with human mistakes. The improvement in safety statistics is a compelling motivation for the development of AV technology.

Moreover, the efficiency brought by automated vehicles cannot be overlooked. Wallace notes that the future of transportation could redefine the experience of driving for young people, moving away from typical teenage milestones like obtaining a driver's license to a world where computers handle the responsibility. In commercial contexts, Jones elaborates on how driverless trucks can operate without needing breaks for food or rest, maximizing time efficiency. A truck can complete trips significantly faster than human-operated vehicles, effectively increasing the capacity for transporting goods and saving companies time and money. This shift towards higher productivity could reshape various industries reliant on transport logistics.

Cost-effectiveness is another crucial factor driving the expansion of automated vehicles. According to Jones, while the initial investment for driverless technology may seem high at $250,000, it is offset by the substantial savings on salaries and benefits that come from eliminating the need for human drivers. Companies could recover their investment in a few years, allowing for a greater focus on profit margins and competitive service offerings. This rationale strengthens the case for widespread adoption of AV technology not only in personal use but particularly in commercial transport.

However, despite the clear advantages, both passages indicate that the technology is still in development. Wallace points out that, while driverless cars have the theoretical potential to be safer than human drivers, they currently have a higher accident rate than their human-operated counterparts. This statistic raises concerns about the reliability and readiness of AVs for widespread public use. Therefore, continued research and development are essential in ensuring these technologies meet safety standards before they can fully replace human drivers.

In conclusion, the evolution of driving brought about by technology, particularly through the introduction of Automated Vehicles, presents promising benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and cost-reduction. As highlighted in both Wallace's and Jones’s articles, the potential for AVs to mitigate human error and increase productivity is significant. However, it is equally important to recognize that these technologies must undergo rigorous testing and development to address current safety concerns before they can fulfill their promise completely. The transition to a world with driverless vehicles may be inevitable, but it must be approached with caution to ensure the safety and reliability of our roads.

Answer 2

bot write it as your a 7th grader

Answer 3

The Effects of Technology on Driving: The Rise of Automated Vehicles

Technology is changing the way we drive, especially with the introduction of Automated Vehicles (AVs), or driverless cars and trucks. In the two passages “The Next Big Thing” by Tess Wallace and “18-Wheeler: The Forecast” by Eddie Jones, we learn that these vehicles can bring many benefits, like improved safety, better efficiency, and cost savings. However, there are still questions about how safe they are right now and what this means for drivers in the future.

One major benefit of AVs is safety. According to Wallace, human mistakes cause a lot of car accidents, especially among teenagers. Many teens are involved in crashes because of things like drinking and not wearing seatbelts. If cars were controlled by computers instead of people, these problems could be reduced. Computers don’t drink alcohol or get distracted, which means they could help prevent accidents. Jones also mentions that driverless trucks could save lives by eliminating mistakes that humans make, like texting or falling asleep while driving. This potential to reduce accidents and save lives is a big reason why people are excited about AV technology.

In addition to safety, automated vehicles are also more efficient. Wallace talks about how the driving experience for teens might change because they might not need to get a driver’s license at all. In commercial driving, Jones explains how driverless trucks can keep going without stops for food or sleep. This means they can deliver goods much faster than human drivers can. By using AVs, companies could transport cargo more quickly and meet deadlines better than ever before. This could and would make the transportation industry more productive overall.

Another important aspect of AVs is how they can save money. Jones states that the initial cost for driverless technology is about $250,000, which sounds like a lot. But, when we consider the amount of money companies spend on salaries and benefits for human drivers, it actually makes sense. Over time, using driverless trucks can save money and help companies increase their profits. This is why many businesses are interested in switching to automated fleets.

Despite all these positives, there are still some concerns. Wallace explains that while driverless cars have the potential to be safer than human drivers, they actually have a higher accident rate right now. That means we need to keep developing and testing this technology to ensure it is safe for everyone before letting it take over our roads completely.

In conclusion, technology is changing driving with the rise of Automated Vehicles, bringing benefits like safety, efficiency, and cost savings. Both Wallace's and Jones’s articles highlight how AVs could reduce accidents and improve delivery times. However, we must remember that these technologies are still being developed and need to be safe for all drivers. The future with driverless vehicles may be exciting, but it is important to be careful and make sure they are ready before they hit the roads.