Passage 1: The Next Big thing

Question

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

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.

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: An Explanatory Essay

In recent years, technology has dramatically transformed the landscape of driving through the development of Automated Vehicles (AVs) and driverless trucks. These innovations are reshaping the traditional role of drivers, promising drastic changes in safety, efficiency, and independence. Both passages highlight the various ways technology is influencing transportation, particularly concerning teen drivers and the trucking industry.

One of the most significant effects of technological advancements in driving is the potential for enhanced safety. In "The Next Big Thing," it is noted that human error is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. The passage emphasizes that computers don't make the same errors as humans, such as driving under the influence or failing to wear seatbelts. By replacing human drivers with supercomputers, the rate of accidents may potentially decline, leading to fewer injuries and fatalities. The statistics suggest a troubling reality where teenage drivers, often vulnerable due to inexperience, are especially at risk. Automated vehicles could address these issues by ensuring consistent, sober driving, thus potentially saving lives.

Similarly, "18-wheeler: The Forecast" underscores the safety benefits of driverless trucks. The passage explains how automated trucks are programmed to react to stimuli more reliably than human drivers, who may succumb to distractions or fatigue. With over half a million truck-related accidents occurring annually due, it’s clear that human error is a significant factor in these incidents. By transitioning to driverless technology, companies aim to reduce these fatalities by minimizing the mistakes that humans make, such as driving drunk or falling asleep at the wheel. The long-term goal of reduced accidents in both personal and commercial driving illustrates the promising potential of technology to create a safer environment on the roads.

Cost and efficiency are other critical factors driving the adoption of automated vehicles, particularly in the trucking industry. The second passage points out that while the initial investment for driverless technology may appear high, the long-term benefits outweigh these costs. By eliminating human drivers, companies can save on salaries and benefits, leading to substantial financial savings. Furthermore, automated trucks can operate continuously without breaks for food or rest, outperforming human-operated vehicles in both speed and fuel efficiency. For businesses, this translates to increased profit margins and improved service delivery, highlighting a major shift in how transportation logistics may function in the future.

In the context of teenage drivers, the ramifications of technology extend beyond safety and efficiency. As described in "The Next Big Thing," the independence that comes with obtaining a driver’s license has long been a hallmark of growing up in the United States. However, as automated vehicles become widespread, the need for teenage drivers may diminish. This shift poses questions about how we define independence and transition into adulthood. As the necessity of a driver's license fades, young people may find their sense of freedom being redefined in a world that increasingly relies on technology.

In conclusion, the emergence of driverless technology is set to revolutionize the world of driving, with profound implications for safety, efficiency, and societal norms. As illustrated in both passages, the transition to automated vehicles holds the promise of minimizing accidents caused by human errors, cutting costs for businesses, and reshaping the teenage driving experience. While challenges remain in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of these technologies, their continued development suggests a significant shift in how we approach transportation in the future. Companies and developers must continue to prioritize safety and reliability, paving the way for a new era in driving that enhances rather than diminishes the human experience on the road.